Chapter 6

Hearing those sharp whispers around her, Isabella felt like fear had punched her straight in the gut. She was terrified—terrified that any of these people might actually start liking Elizabeth, even the tiniest bit. Admiring her? Absolutely not. Her legs went weak, and out of nowhere, she dropped to her knees, flinging herself toward Elizabeth with a loud thud that turned every head in the room. "Elizabeth, please," she cried, voice trembling. "Don't be mad at Mom and Dad. It's all on me. I shouldn't have taken Victor from you! Mom and Dad are getting older, they can't handle this kind of stress. Please... just take it out on me instead, okay? I swear I'll give Victor back. You can be his fiancée again. Just... don't hate me." Tears streamed down her face as she pleaded, her sobs weak but dramatic as she clung to Elizabeth. "You really feel guilty? Then slap yourself, how about that?" Elizabeth crossed her arms, smirking as she stared down at her with eyes full of sarcasm. She wasn't buying this act. Isabella's sorry excuse for acting didn't fool her one bit. Besides, Elizabeth didn't show up at this engagement party to fight over some lame promise of marriage... But Isabella grabbed hold of that line and ran with it, making her expression look even more pitiful, like Elizabeth was some heartless villain picking on the helpless. She clutched her face and sobbed louder now, looking like the picture of tragedy. Elizabeth rolled her eyes so hard it was almost audible. Vivian Lane couldn't take it anymore. She rushed up and helped Isabella off the floor, shooting Elizabeth a death glare. "I don't care what the old master agreed to back then. That childish engagement doesn't hold weight anymore. Isabella and Victor truly care about each other. Miss Kaiser, you're way out of line acting like this." "Oh? And I suppose barging in and rewriting someone else's word is polite?" Elizabeth shot back with a smile. "The old man's dead, so now it's just your say-so? That's pretty disrespectful." "I mean, the Lane family used to have integrity. If you're tossing that aside now..." "Bull! That's pure nonsense!" Vivian snapped, voice rising with her fury. She was totally losing it now, too angry to fake calm. "You're mouthy, aren't you? But don't think being loud and unruly will get you through our front door. Someone like you? You don't deserve the Lane name." "Only someone like Isabella—a real lady—deserves to be my daughter-in-law." Her words, meant to sound proud, just made Elizabeth crack up. She covered her mouth, but the laughter burst out anyway. "You're calling her a proper lady? Knowing full well Victor was already engaged, but still chasing after him? That's classy?" Her blunt shot landed, and Isabella's face twitched so hard it almost broke her mask. The crowd broke into whispers again, buzzing with doubt. It wasn't hard to guess they weren't saying anything nice. Vivian was left gaping, too stunned to reply. Where did this mouthy little witch learn to talk circles around people like this? Isabella's eyes sparkled with fresh tears that wouldn't stop flowing. "Elizabeth, I never meant to take him away—I wasn't trying to hurt you. It's just... Victor's everything I've ever dreamed of. I couldn't help falling for him...You say we're not right for each other. But am I wrong for truly loving him?" Elizabeth let out a dry laugh, disgust tightening her stomach. Of course, Victor was all heart-eyes for this sob story. He grabbed Isabella's hands, looked like he was about to cry. "Babe, don't worry—I only love you. No one's going to come between us." "I love you too, Victor," Isabella wept. And there they were, the pathetic couple, holding each other like the world had betrayed them. Elizabeth rolled her eyes again. For real this time.