more awareness she brings to the foundation, the more awareness she brings the Wolfe Corporation. She’s a businesswoman at heart who has run her father’s law company for years, turning it into a billion dollar company. Her son’s death just gives her company more exposure. Running the foundation in addition to the company will just give her more power and money than she has ever had before. It disgusts me.
“Five minutes until the limo arrives,” Elisabetta announces looking at her watch. She comes over to me and hands me the heels I agreed to wear. I had to have my prosthetic leg adjusted to be able to wear the heels. I’ve practiced walking in the heels before, but it still makes me nervous. We will be walking the red carpet, and I will have to walk onstage to give this speech without falling. Everyone’s eyes will be on Laura and me for the entire night. The widow and mourning mother making their first appearance since Ethan’s death.
I slip on the heels and practice walking, each step feeling as if I’m walking on stilts. With each step, I feel more and more off balance, but maybe it’s just the whole night. I wish I could just tell the truth in my own words about what happened, and how hard it is for us to move on from this. I haven’t said anything about moving back to New York to Laura yet. She expects me to stay here, stay close to her, and help run the foundation. I do not intend to run a foundation that is really just a moneymaking venture for the Wolfe family. I want no part of that.
“Time to go,” Laura says. I look at the impeccably dressed woman, also in black, as her dress sparkles in the light. Her hair and makeup are flawless. And suddenly, I have turned back into an ugly stepsister instead of the gorgeous princess I felt like only seconds before. I climb into the limo and wait as Laura climbs in after me. She doesn’t say a word to me the whole ride, which just makes it easier for the darkness to overwhelm me, as I fear I won’t get out of here alive.
***
I make it a whole hour without tripping or disgracing the family. A whole hour of showing off my beauty and demonstrating why I belong to the Wolfe family. A whole hour of walking elegantly on a cloud and pretending not to feel like the outcast I really am. Yet it all ended when I saw them together . Walking hand in hand, smiling at the photographers like a real couple should. Whispering into each other’s ears and stealing sweet kisses. When I see them, I lose it. They stand at the entrance to the ballroom answering questions from a reporter. My body starts moving toward them in what I assume is a run. At least the closest thing I have done to a run since the accident. I was standing next to Laura speaking to the governor, and next thing I know, I’m face-first on the ground; my dress has come up exposing my ass and prosthetic leg while the reporters’ attention is now on me snapping pictures.
My face is bright red with embarrassment and anger, but I hide my embarrassment and can’t make myself move from the floor. I know I’ll get an earful from Laura later. I deserve it for making a scene. Now, instead of the media publishing stories about Ethan, his broken widow will be all they talk about. I feel arms around me pulling me up into a standing position, but I don’t want to look at the man who pulled me to my feet. I already know who it is, and I don’t want him to see the anger on my face. The anger that is unfounded. I can’t be angry with someone who was never mine. He can take whomever he wants to an event like this. He can sleep with whomever he wants. He’s not mine. He’ll never be mine.
“Are you okay?” the deep voice says with concern.
“Yes, just go back to your date.” I rip my arm from his with a smile as I turn to the crowd gathered around us.
“I knew I should have practiced more in my heels,” I say to the crowd trying to make them laugh. It works as everyone chuckles and
“Five minutes until the limo arrives,” Elisabetta announces looking at her watch. She comes over to me and hands me the heels I agreed to wear. I had to have my prosthetic leg adjusted to be able to wear the heels. I’ve practiced walking in the heels before, but it still makes me nervous. We will be walking the red carpet, and I will have to walk onstage to give this speech without falling. Everyone’s eyes will be on Laura and me for the entire night. The widow and mourning mother making their first appearance since Ethan’s death.
I slip on the heels and practice walking, each step feeling as if I’m walking on stilts. With each step, I feel more and more off balance, but maybe it’s just the whole night. I wish I could just tell the truth in my own words about what happened, and how hard it is for us to move on from this. I haven’t said anything about moving back to New York to Laura yet. She expects me to stay here, stay close to her, and help run the foundation. I do not intend to run a foundation that is really just a moneymaking venture for the Wolfe family. I want no part of that.
“Time to go,” Laura says. I look at the impeccably dressed woman, also in black, as her dress sparkles in the light. Her hair and makeup are flawless. And suddenly, I have turned back into an ugly stepsister instead of the gorgeous princess I felt like only seconds before. I climb into the limo and wait as Laura climbs in after me. She doesn’t say a word to me the whole ride, which just makes it easier for the darkness to overwhelm me, as I fear I won’t get out of here alive.
***
I make it a whole hour without tripping or disgracing the family. A whole hour of showing off my beauty and demonstrating why I belong to the Wolfe family. A whole hour of walking elegantly on a cloud and pretending not to feel like the outcast I really am. Yet it all ended when I saw them together . Walking hand in hand, smiling at the photographers like a real couple should. Whispering into each other’s ears and stealing sweet kisses. When I see them, I lose it. They stand at the entrance to the ballroom answering questions from a reporter. My body starts moving toward them in what I assume is a run. At least the closest thing I have done to a run since the accident. I was standing next to Laura speaking to the governor, and next thing I know, I’m face-first on the ground; my dress has come up exposing my ass and prosthetic leg while the reporters’ attention is now on me snapping pictures.
My face is bright red with embarrassment and anger, but I hide my embarrassment and can’t make myself move from the floor. I know I’ll get an earful from Laura later. I deserve it for making a scene. Now, instead of the media publishing stories about Ethan, his broken widow will be all they talk about. I feel arms around me pulling me up into a standing position, but I don’t want to look at the man who pulled me to my feet. I already know who it is, and I don’t want him to see the anger on my face. The anger that is unfounded. I can’t be angry with someone who was never mine. He can take whomever he wants to an event like this. He can sleep with whomever he wants. He’s not mine. He’ll never be mine.
“Are you okay?” the deep voice says with concern.
“Yes, just go back to your date.” I rip my arm from his with a smile as I turn to the crowd gathered around us.
“I knew I should have practiced more in my heels,” I say to the crowd trying to make them laugh. It works as everyone chuckles and
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