Chapter 55

Dorothy’s POV Theodore just smirked, refusing to retreat an inch. “Pretty sure I do, Talia. That’s Dorothy Miller, not that it’s any of your business.” Lyra lurched forward, swaying in her heels. “She’s Darius’s ex. And she’s not welcome here.” Her voice wobbled, loud enough to draw stares. “You think we forgot?” Theodore lifted a brow and turned slightly, putting his body squarely between me and Lyra. “Big word, ‘ex.’ Means finished. Maybe you ought to move on, yeah?” “Move on?” Lyra’s tone sharpened. “She’s parading around with you and Lucian, and now she’s trying to catch Darius’s eye again. It’s pathetic.” My patience cracked, the click of my satin-heeled pumps on the marble matching the icy edge in my tone. "Funny—last time I checked, 'ex' meant he stopped breathing your air. Or did the champagne fumes make you forget how to read a calendar?" I shifted my weight, the diamond-encrusted strap of my heel catching the chandelier light as I leaned in. "If anyone's parading here, it's t