#Chapter 51 - Lights Out

A sharp gasp slipped past my lips before I had a chance to stop it, having heard Edward’s dry comment regarding Evelyn. What on earth gave that man the thought of bringing up such a sore topic at an event like this—in front of the entire Derek Family?? I felt the tension around me swirl with flickers of anger and hostility. Both James and his sisters let out a threatening growl of displeasure, causing my whole body to go stiff in my seat. I was too tempted to leave. I wanted to. Truthfully, I wasn’t sure how much more of this public ridicule I could possibly take. First, it was the strange offer from Gavin Ellison, then it was the awkward dance with Michael...Now I’m being pinned against James’ ex-wife. At the rate I was going, I wasn’t sure how much longer I was able to remain there. Suddenly, a wave of nausea crashed over me. This event had caused me nothing but ongoing anxiety for days and now that I was trapped in a room amongst several aggressive people, my body was on t