Chapter 3

3: 3

3

Across from me, Rosamund's eyes went red at once.

One of her friends jumped in.

"Watch what you say. Our Rosamund was properly proposed to by Quinton, and they're about to get the license. The one who shouldn't be here is that woman next to you."

Maria was so angry her eyes had gone red too.

"Noreen and Quinton have been together almost six years. Who's the real one and who's the intruder—anyone with eyes can see that."

I looked at Quinton.

His brows were drawn tight, and there was no color in his face.

Rosamund's friend rounded on him, pressing.

"Quinton, say something. Are you just going to stand there and watch someone stomp all over Rosamund?"

Quinton suddenly came over and pulled me aside.

He lowered his voice.

"Just go home, all right? I'll explain later. Rosamund's pregnant—she can't take the stress."

Maria heard it and pointed straight at the suit on his back.

"That suit Quinton's wearing—Noreen bought it for him six years ago."

"Back then Quinton was starting his company and didn't have a dime. Noreen paid his rent, bought his clothes, brought in his investors. All of it came from her."

"Now that he's got a little money, he goes and messes around, is that it? Do you have any conscience left?"

Rosamund's tears spilled over, and she spun to run out.

Quinton grabbed her and held her back.

He whipped around and shouted at Maria and me.

"Enough! Stop it!"

"Rosamund and I are already engaged. We're getting the license soon. She's carrying my child. She is not the other woman!"

Watching him plant himself in front of Rosamund like a shield, I suddenly had nothing left to say.

I turned to go.

Just then one of Rosamund's friends grabbed a cake and hurled it at me.

Maria reached out to pull me clear, but it was too late.

The whole cake smeared across my face, thick cream sliding down my hair and dripping to the floor.

They started yelling.

"Home-wrecking little slut! Everybody come look—a shameless woman like this!"

The other diners turned to stare.

Someone raised a phone.

Through the blur, I saw Quinton take Rosamund's hand and walk away.

Maria helped me into the car, too furious now to get her words out straight.

"That was too far. That was really too far…"

I patted her shoulder.

"Don't be upset. I'm ready to break up with him. My things are already moved out. My flight's tomorrow."

Maria pulled me into a hug.

"Noreen, I worried about you from the day you chose him. Wherever you go from now on, if anything happens, you call me."

The words had barely left her mouth when my phone rang.

The second I picked up, a stream of abuse came pouring down the line.

"You filthy slut! Sleeping your way onto a pregnant woman's man! I've seen plenty of your type—you'll get what's coming to you! She's pregnant, and you still have no shame!"