Chapter 58
Elodie’s POV
CUAP had become something of a legend in the tech world.
Professional teams had tried for years to reverse-engineer it, to crack its architecture and figure out how it worked. None of them had succeeded. It had become this untouchable thing, brilliant and mysterious and it was mine.
Even if no one knew it was mine.
When we walked into the banquet hall, I felt eyes turn toward us. Toward me, specifically. I wasn’t used to that kind of attention anymore. Wasn’t used to being looked at like I was someone worth noticing.
Johnny stayed close, introducing me to people, and I tried to focus. Tried to smile and be present.
The host of the banquet, a Pack Alpha from the eastern territories, spotted Johnny and started making his way over, his face lighting up with recognition.
But then he stopped mid-stride.
His expression changed completely. Shock, maybe. Or excitement. I couldn’t tell.
Other guests nearby had similar reactions, heads turning, conversations stopping, everyone suddenly fixated on something behind us.
Johnny and I exchanged a confused glance before turning around.
The host brushed past us without another word, heading straight for the entrance.
“Alpha Dante! Harrison, Levi, what an honor p>
My stomach dropped.
I turned fully, and there they were.
Dante. Harrison. Levi. And Sienna. Of course, Sienna.
The world tilted sideways.
She was wearing that dress. The purple one from the boutique. The one I’d reached for and been told I couldn’t touch because it cost three million dollars and was custom-made for a VIP client.
For her. Of course it was for her.
The dress looked even more stunning on her than it had on the mannequin. She was tall, perfectly proportioned, and the way she carried herself, the way she moved, made the gown look like it had been designed specifically to showcase how untouchable she was.
She looked like royalty. Like something out of a dream.
And I was standing here in my simple off-white dress that I’d bought because it was safe and wouldn’t draw attention.
I felt sick.
Murmurs rippled through the crowd around us.
“Is that really Dante Bellini? He never comes to these things p>
“Who’s the woman with them? She’s gorgeous p>
“That’s got to be his mistress, right? I mean, look at her p>
“That dress alone probably costs more than my car p>
Someone nearby let out a low whistle. “If I could have a woman like that, I’d give up ten years of my life. Did you see her? She’s on another level p>
Each word was a knife.
Another voice chimed in, softer. “I don’t know, I think the one in the beige dress is prettier. More elegant. She’s got this quiet beauty, you know? Refined p>
They were talking about me.
Comparing us.
Johnny’s hand found my elbow, steadying me. “Elodie p>
“Oh my God,” a woman nearby gasped. “That gown! I saw it at the boutique yesterday, it’s that custom piece! The one that cost over three million p>
“Three million? For a dress p>
“Alpha Dante Bellini must really love her to spend that kind of money p>
Love. The word echoed in my head, hollow and mocking.
I lowered my gaze slowly, staring at the champagne glass in my hand like it held answers I desperately needed.
The moment I’d seen Sienna in that dress, I’d known.
Dante had bought it for her.
The Brown family was doing well enough. Sienna’s father had built a decent business over the years but dropping three million dollars on a single gown? That wasn’t something they could afford right now. Not without it hurting.
But for Dante? Three million was pocket change. Less than that, even.
And the dress had been custom-made. Which meant he’d ordered it at least two weeks ago.
Two weeks ago, he’d already been planning to bring her here. To this banquet. As his date.
While I’d been at home, taking care of Liora, working at Wilson Group, trying to hold together the scraps of our marriage, he’d been planning this.
Planning to show her off.
Planning to parade her in front of everyone like she was his.
Maybe she was.
“Elly.” Johnny’s voice was gentle, concerned. He only ever called me that when he was worried. “We can go. Right now p>
“I’m fine,” I said automatically, forcing a small smile.
The lie tasted bitter.
I wasn’t fine. I was so far from fine I couldn’t even see it anymore.
But what else could I say? That watching my husband walk in with another woman, with her wearing a dress that cost more than most people made in a year, made me want to scream? That every single person in this room was now comparing us, and I was losing?
That I’d already lost?
A crowd had formed around Dante and his group. Everyone wanted to be near them, to be noticed by the Alpha and his inner circle. Harrison and Levi were used to the attention, handling it with practiced ease.
And Sienna, Sienna looked like she’d been doing this her whole life. Smiling, charming, fitting in so perfectly it made my chest ache.
They hadn’t seen me yet. The crowd was too thick, and I was standing far enough away that I was invisible.
Story of my life, really.
“Elodie.” Johnny touched my arm gently, pulling my attention back to him. His eyes were full of understanding and something that looked like anger on my behalf. “You don’t have to stay here and watch this p>
“I’m not watching anything,” I said quietly. “I’m here for work. To network. To build connections for when I start at your firm p>
“Bullshit p>
I blinked, surprised. Johnny rarely swore.
“You’re hurting,” he said bluntly. “And I hate seeing you hurt. Especially because of him p>
Something in my throat tightened. “Johnny p>
“I know you, El. I’ve known you for years.” His voice dropped lower, more intense. “You’re one of the strongest, most brilliant people I’ve ever met. You’ve built several strong sites, introduced several technologies even while being seventeen. Seventeen*”. You’ve created things that tech giants have been trying to replicate for over a decade and failed. You’re incredible p>
The words should have felt good. Should have lifted me up.
Instead, they just made me feel more broken.
Because if I was so incredible, why wasn’t I enough?
Why had Dante looked at me for seven years and decided I wasn’t worth keeping?
“I appreciate that,” I whispered. “But it doesn’t change anything p>
“It should p>