One Night

Chapter 143

Audrey

Edwin stepped closer to me, his eyes darting nervously over his shoulder. I couldn’t decide whether I was about to pass out, run to him, or launch myself over the balcony.

“Fiona is in the restroom, he said in a low, urgent voice. “We only have a moment. Have you… have your mind?”

made up your

His gaze softened as he looked at me, a small smile playing on his lips. He added, “You look beautiful tonight, by the way. That dress… did you make it yourself?”

I nodded, smoothing down the fabric of my emerald green gown. “I did. Thank you.”

His throat bobbed, those gray eyes flicking up my dress before landing on me again. My heart clenched just at the sight of him, and I felt tears welling up in my eyes. This was it. I had to do it now, before I lost my nerve.

“Edwin, I…” I took a deep breath, steeling myself. “My answer is no. I won’t be your girlfriend.”

His face fell, confusion and hurt flashing across his features. His eyes shifted from a stormy gray to a pale yellow glow, and the sight made my stomach ache even more..

“But… why? I thought… I thought you felt the same way I did,” he said softly. “I thought you”

“I love you,” I blurted out. Even though my voice was barely above a whisper, the words felt heavy, beautiful, heartwrenching. I quickly looked away from Edwin’s shocked expression.

“I’m just a human,” I managed, wrapping my arms around myself. “I’ll never be seen as anything more than a plaything. You should find your fated mate.”

Edwin’s eyes flashed, the yellow glow intensifying. He took a step forward, reaching for me. I didn’t pull back, not right away: I wanted to feel his fingers brush my skin one last time.

“Audrey, no. How could you think that? I love you, and I would never view you as a plaything. If I somehow found my fated mate, I would easily sever the bond without a second thought because I just want you. Only you.”

I opened my mouth to argue, but Edwin suddenly tensed, his head turning slightly. His nostrils flared, and I knew he was catching a scent I couldn’t detect.

“Fiona is looking for me,” he said urgently, his voice tight with worry. “I shouldn’t have come to you here. It’s too dangerous.” He turned back to me, and there was an urgency in his eyes that made my heart stop. “Audrey, please be careful tonight Stay away from Fiona if you can. She might try to hurt you.”

“What do you mean?” I asked, fear creeping into my voice. My fingers tightened around my necklace.

“I’ve put you in danger just by talking to you for these two minutes,” Edwin said, his voice strained the ran a hand through his hair, messing up the carefully styled swoop. “But I couldn’t resist. Your perfume tonight has been… intoxicating. It’s been drawing me closer to you all night. I can hardly think straight when I’m near you.”

Familiar. That feeling was all too familiar. But I didn’t have the strength nor the time to tell Edwin that I felt the same way about his cologne.

With one last pleading look, he slipped away, disappearing into the crowd before Fiona could spot us together. I watched lim go, my heart aching with each step he took away from me.

09:30 Thu, Sep 19

Chapter 143

10.76%

0

The wind picked up, blowing through my hair and making me shudder. I looked down at the sheer drop below the balcony, the river a dark ribbon in the distance. Had I made the right decision?

For the remainder of the party, I didn’t see Edwin or Fiona up close. I tried to leave at one point, but Claudia caught me before I reached the door, smiling and still wearing that scarf in her hair, and I couldn’t bring myself to go-I cared about her too much to disappoint her.

Finally, it was time for dinner. Blissfully, my seat was toward the back, far from Edwin and Fiona.

As the guests settled into their seats, the clinking of cutlery and soft murmur of conversation filled the air. The food smelled delicious, but I picked at my plate, my appetite gone.

Then came the toasts. My stomach churned as Fiona stood up, her glass raised high. Her platinum hair caught the light, shimmering like spun gold. Her smile was wide as she began to speak, and for a moment, I could almost believe she was genuinely happy.

“To my beautiful mother,” Fiona said. “You have always been my rock, my inspiration. I wouldn’t be who I am today without you. Happy birthday, Mom. I love you more than words can express.”

She handed Claudia a box then, and I could see the designer logo even from where I sat. Claudia opened it, gasping, as she pulled out an extremely expensive Chanel purse.

I could have sworn that Fiona’s eyes flicked to me then, mocking me. I stared down at my plate.

But I couldn’t fault Fiona for wanting to spoil her mother. I wished I could have known my biological mother, to have heard her voice, felt her embrace. I missed my adoptive mother fiercely in that moment, too-the amazing woman who had been my own rock and inspiration before she died.

I wished I could spoil her.

But then the words that Fiona said next had me snapping my gaze up like a rubber band pulled taut.

“And while I have everyone’s attention, I have an announcement to make.” She paused for effect, her eyes seeming to slide towards me. I felt pinned by her gaze.

“Edwin Brooks and I are engaged!”

The crowd erupted into applause and cheers. I felt the blood drain from my face, my hands shaking as I set down my glass. The room seemed to spin around me, the sounds becoming m***d and distant.

Across the room, I caught a glimpse of Edwin. He looked pale, his jaw clenched tight, his eyes searching the crowd until they landed on me.

I couldn’t handle it. The walls felt like they were closing in, the air thick and suffocating. Mumbling an excuse to the people at my table, I stood up and made my way out of the dining room. I needed air, space, anything to escape the suffocating atmosphere.

On my way to the bathroom, I found a side balcony where no one else was. I stepped out into the cool night air, gripping the railing as I tried to steady my breathing. The metal was cold under my palms, grounding me slightly.

It was better this way, I told myself as I wrapped my fingers around that railing. They belonged together..

But the words rang hollow, even to my own cars.

Before, their engagement had been this… shapeless thing. This enigma that both did and didn’t exist at the same time.

09:30 Thu, Sep 19

Chapter 143

1 % 76%

Now, hearing her announce it, knowing that Edwin and I were both powerless, hearing the way that everyone cheered and applauded for them and I would never be anything but the human plaything no matter what….

It was all too real now. Too tangible, Too painful.

I should have gone home earlier. I shouldn’t have come at all.

I wasn’t sure how long I stayed there, trembling. But as I stood there, sucking in deep breaths, I heard that voice in my head again.

“Audrey… Look out!”

I jerked my head up, startled by the urgency in the voice. That was when I saw her: Fiona.

She was striding quickly toward me, her face beet red, nostrils flaring, hands outstretched. Her eyes were wild, filled with a malicious sort of fury.

“Fiona-” I turned fully, backing up against the railing.

“Fly, b**c**tilted around me, the starry sky suddenly where the ground should be.

The balcony railing disappeared from view as I went careening over the side. Fiona’s twisted face was the last thing I saw before the river came rushing up to meet me.

0