"How pathetic," Evelyn scoffed.
Caius smirked. "I have my eyes on someone else," his gaze landing on Lauren. "Rest assured, I will not be marrying out of the Remington's household."
Her father chuckled, clapping Caius on the shoulder. "Smart man," he lead him away to join the other guests.
Heather stood frozen. The room felt like it was spinning around her. She overheard little of their conversation as they walked away.
"She's always been difficult," her father said.
"Not my problem anymore," Caius replied, his tone indifferent.
She watched them disappear into the crowd. Caius was really divorcing her. It somehow felt like a nightmare. One she couldn't wake up from. Everything just didn't feel right. Not to speak of the stare Lauren was giving her right now. She was just a feel steps away from her.
Trying to get her mind off everything, Heather indicated with her hands to the waiter that she needed a glass. The waiter started coming towards her. She checked her purse for a tip, looking back up, the waiter tripped. The glasses of wine crashed onto Heather, soaking her white dress in red wine. Gasps filled the room. Lauren rushed over, faking concern.
"Oh no, Heather! Let me help you," Lauren said, dabbing at her dress with a napkin, roughly.
Heather pushed her hand away. "Just stop."
The murmurs started immediately.
"So ungrateful," someone whispered.
"Lauren's just trying to help."
Heather walked upstairs, her dress clinging to her skin. In the bathroom, she stared at her reflection. The dark circles under her eyes, the pallor of her skin, the ugly makeup. She barely recognized herself. "What has my life turned into?" she whispered. Her hands instinctively moved to her stomach, rubbing the small bump. The baby was starting to show, a bittersweet reminder that she was going to terminate it.
Her thoughts were interrupted by a loud bang on the door. The handle rattled violently. "Someone's in here!" she called out, but the rattling continued. She went to open the door, only to find Lauren standing there. The last person she wanted to see.
"It's taken. Use another one," Heather said curtly.
Lauren smirked. "Yikes, the wine really ruined your dress," she said with a laugh. "For someone aspiring to be me, that's a bad impression."
"Such a clumsy waiter. Who happened to only fall the moment you asked for a drink. Poor Heather," she had no atom of pity in her tone. "Although, I wonder what made him trip." She said smiling.
Heather rolled her eyes. She also didn't know why that waiter tripped... And Lauren's smile was creepy.
Then she had an epiphany. Lauren was the only one standing close when the waiter approached. "Did you cause that?"
"What? Me? I would never ruin my sister's dress," Lauren said, faking innocence.
"You can drop the act now, Lauren. No one's here."
Lauren glanced around, then leaned in closer. "Have you signed the divorce papers yet?"
Heather frowned. How did she know about the divorce?
Lauren's smile widened. "How does it feel to lose everything you want so badly, so easily?"
Heather gritted her teeth. She knew Lauren was referring to the inheritance. She had held onto the grudge for years.
"It's not my fault you're the illegitimate daughter, Lauren," Heather said coldly.
Lauren's lips pressed into a thin line, her teeth biting down hard enough to draw blood. It was both satisfying and scary watching Lauren hurting her own lips, without Heather having to punch it.
"You're blocking the way."
Her stomach twisted, and she placed a hand on her abdomen without thinking.
Lauren's gaze immediately dropped to Heather's stomach. Then she moved a bit.
Heather brushed past her to head downstairs. She heard footsteps following her, but she ignored. As she reached the top of the staircase, she felt a sharp shove from behind. She turned instinctively, her nails raking across the person's face.
Lauren let out a piercing scream, wrapping her hands around her eyes as Heather tumbled down the stairs.
Everything was blurred as Heather rolled. Her whole body, including her stomach hitting the steps with sickening force. The guests started gasping and screaming, as she landed at the bottom, motionless.
She saw Caius running past her, straight to Lauren. She was clutching her face and sobbing dramatically. Heather closed her eyes.