Chapter 10: Trash Talks Loud

Monica's smile cracked. "Naomi, don't be so nasty. Julian and I are truly in love. If it weren't for Serena, we would have been together years ago!" Naomi rolled her eyes, making a disgusted face. "That's what every side piece says when they win. Don't call it love. It's just pathetic. Seducing your best friend's fiancé isn't romantic. It's trashy." Monica stepped forward, furious. "Who are you calling trash?" "You heard me. Don't play dumb. Some women just want to be homewreckers and still expect a trophy. It's disgusting." Naomi shot back, not giving an inch. People were starting to watch. I reached out and tugged Naomi's sleeve. "It's not worth it. Let's just go." Julian looked uncomfortable, but not enough to actually do anything. Then Monica clutched his arm like she was the real victim here. "Julian, are you really just gonna let them talk to me like that?" He finally spoke, "Serena." Just hearing my name in his voice made my stomach twist. "Your friend owes Monica an apology." His tone was flat, distant, like he wasn't talking to someone he'd loved for seven years. Like I was a stranger now. I stared at him. The man who once swore he'd protect me. Who once looked at me like I was his whole world. Now he wanted an apology. For her. "Naomi didn't say anything wrong," I said, stepping toward them. "You cheated. You lied. You humiliated me. For seven years. And now you think I owe her something?" Julian blinked, caught off guard by my tone. The crowd around us murmured louder now. I could feel the weight of their eyes and I didn't care anymore. For seven years, I never raised my voice at Julian. But today, I wasn't going to hold back. "Serena Cole, keep your voice down," Monica snapped. "Julian and I are in love. You were the one who wouldn't let go. You're the one who made everything complicated." She latched onto Julian's arm like some sad plot twist in a bad soap opera. I looked her up and down, then turned my coldest stare on Julian. "Julian Shepherd? You can have him. Hell, you can gift-wrap him and send him back and I still wouldn't take him. He disgusts me." I smiled, not because I was happy, but because I finally felt free. No more pretending. No more protecting people who had no problem stabbing me in the back.