Chapter 4 Adrian returned to his seat , his movements still carrying that fluid grace despite the ice in his demeanor moments before . I kept my expression neutral , though my mind raced at the casual brutality of his threat . " What exactly did you say to them ? " His face softened into an easy smile . " Oh , just told them to mind their manners . Nothing special . " " I could have handled that myself , you know . " I crossed my arms , meeting his gaze directly . Something flickered in those gray eyes , surprise , followed by what looked like approval . " Could you now ? " He took a measured sip of his drink . " That's … good to know . " I turned my attention back to the dance floor , scanning the crowd . Primo and Yesha were no longer among the dancers . My -80 % 10:01 1/6 Chapter 4 eyes narrowed as I caught a glimpse of her red dress disappearing down the hallway that led to the private bathrooms , Primo's hand on her lower back . " If you'll excuse me . " I set my glass down . with careful precision . " I need to step away for a moment . I'll be right back . " I moved down the dimly lit hallway . The private bathroom doors lined the wall . A muffled sound caught my attention , third door from the end . The moans grew louder as I approached . Yesha's breathless voice carried through the door , followed by Primo's deeper growl . I pressed my back against the cool wall , arms crossed . " God , you're incredible , " Primo's voice rasped . " Better than her ? " Yesha purred . " So much better than Asteria . You know exactly what I like . " 80 % 19:01 2/6 Chapter 4 I rolled my eyes . The words should have stung , but they fell flat . Empty , just like everything else about him . I pushed off the wall and walked to the main women's restroom , positioning myself at the marble counter . The bright lights highlighted every detail of my reflection as I pulled out my lipstick . The door creaked open behind me . In the mirror , I watched Yesha saunter in , her red dress wrinkled , lipstick smeared . She froze for a split second when she saw me , then recovered with a practiced smile . I kept my attention on reapplying my lipstick , as she moved to the sink beside me . I watched in the mirror as Yesha dabbed at her smeared lipstick with practiced precision . " Asteria , darling . How's your evening going ? " Her voice dripped honey . " Wonderful , actually . " I turned to face her 80 % 19.01 3/6 Chapter 4 directly . " And yours ? How was your quick fuck with Primo in the bathroom just now ? " The lipstick slipped from her fingers , clattering into the sink . Her face went slack for a moment before she caught herself . " I- I don't know what you're talking about . " " Oh please." I leaned against the counter . " Third door down . You weren't exactly quiet . ' Better than Asteria ' - really ? That's what gets you both off ? " Her fingers curled around the edge of the marble . " You were listening ? " - " Didn't need to try very hard . But don't worry I'm not here to cause a scene . " I reapplied my own lipstick with steady hands . " Just thought you should know those walls are thinner than you think . " " Look , I can explain- " " No need . " I capped my lipstick . " Though next time , you might want to fix your dress 80 % 19:01 4/6 Chapter 41 before coming out . The zipper's still down . " Her hand flew to her back as she twisted to check . The zipper was perfectly fine . " Made you look . " I winked at her frozen expression in the mirror . Yesha's mask slipped , her practiced vulnerability morphing into something harder , colder . A sneer twisted her perfectly painted lips . " You know what ? Yeah , I fucked him . And I enjoyed every second of it . " She turned to face me , hip cocked against the counter . " What are you going to do about it ? " The words hit like a physical blow . This woman in front of me , this stranger wearing my best friend's face , I barely recognized her . Years of shared secrets , late - night conversations , shoulders cried on … all of it felt hollow now . My chest ached , but I kept my expression neutral , refusing to give her the satisfaction . " Primo's mine now . Always has been , 80 % 19.01 5/6 Chapter 4 always will be . " Yesha's eyes glittered with malice . " You were just a convenient tool , darling . A pretty little puppet to parade around while the merger got sorted . And now that it's halfway done ? " She laughed , the sound sharp as broken glass . " You can't even call off the wedding without bringing both families crashing down . " I maintained eye contact , refusing to flinch . " You're right about the merger . " " Of course I am . " She preened , adjusting her dress . " Face it , Asteria . You've lost . Might as well accept your role as the perfect little trophy wife while Primo and I- " " I said you're right about the merger , " I cut her off . " But I have my own plans for it . " Her smug expression faltered for a moment . " What's that supposed to mean ? "