Chapter 11 "Is this really necessary ? " I stood at the end of the line , shivering , tugging desperately at the hem of my tragically short skirt . I could practically feel it - if I opened my mouth to speak , my underwear would be on full display " Sweetheart , we paid a fortune to get into this place . Of course we're going all kill . Do you not get it ? Ivanna declared like a mafia queen , standing tall against the icy wind in her five inch heels without the slightest trace of fear . ] "But isn't this a little too - 1 didn't even get to finish before a brutal gust of wind slapped me across the face like it had a personal vendetta . I immediately yanked up the zipper of my puffer jacket and curled into myself like a frozen shrimp Ivanna let out a dramatic groan . " Mira , come on . We're going to a bar , not an Arctic expedition . " I'm just glad I won't be hospitalized for hypothermia tonight , thanks , " I snapped back . disappointment - but said nothing She rolled her eyes so hard I thought they might fall out of her head , gave me a once - over full of disa more . Small victory . My puffer jacket was safe - for now. I'd thought we'd have to wait in line like everyone else . That was the whole reason I wore had underestimated Ivanna . She had zero plans to follow the rules . this thermal fortress of a coat . But clearly , I With the ease of someone who'd done this a thousand times , she slipped a rolled up bill into the bouncer's hand , her palm casually grazing his rock hard chest like a Bond girl who'd forgotten her martini . Ten seconds . That's all it took . We were in . Ivanna was the kind of beautiful that made men forget protocol - and ethics - in an instant And just like that , we breezed into B Roxanne The place was thick with heat , perfume , and the effervescent scent of champagne . I ripped oft my coat the second we stepped inside , only to be met with a " are - you - trying - to - embarrass - me ? glare from Ivanna ] . She handed her cost off to a passing server with a flick of her fingers , like she'd personally hired the man . Regal , effortless , born for this I tried to copy her moves . Failed miserably . Nearly dropped my purse and stumbled like a hamster who'd just woken up from freezer nap . Graceful ? No , I looked like roadkill in Gucci heels . If I hadn't known each cocktail here cost about the same as my checking account balance , I might've even convinced myself I was pulling it off . " Jesus Christ ? I gasped , eyes glued to the menu like it had just insulted my my entire bloodline . Ivanna gave me a sideways glance and scoffed . " Relax . Tonight's on me . " ] ] I exhaled with something dangerously close to gratitude . Considering I'd nearly broken off an engagement , risked being exiled to sue remote tropical island by my parents , and needed to budget for anti snake spray , I needed all the charity I could get Price tags aside , the view was elite ambitious young actors , outrageously good looking models , and a legion of finance bros who Chapter 11 looked like they gave TED talks while wearing Burberry . [ ] It was a glittering buffet of vanity and hormones , wrapped in velvet lighting and the illusion of power . ] We found a table near the bar and hadn't even ordered drinks when a bartender locked eyes on us . Well . He was hard to miss - tall , sculpted features , sleeves rolled to the elbows just enough to show off well trained forearms . [ ] He shouldn't be mixing drinks - he should be in the Louvre . Or at the very least starring in Dior's newest fragrance campaign . Maybe that's why this club was so expensive : even the staff had to be perfect Two 75s , French brandy . " ] Before I could even locate the cheapest drink on the menu , Ivanna had already tossed her order at the bartender . " Make it strong - 1 And of course , she didn't forget to flash her signature smile - the one that balanced perfectly between sexy and innocent , chin tilted just enough to say " Oops , didn't mean to flirt " ] The bartender reached effortlessly for the gin , giving her a half - smile . " Rough night ? " " More like an engagement level disaster , " she said , casually pointing her thumb at me . " And it's wrapping up real soon . " ] I glanced at her . " Thrilled that my personal life is now public broadcast She patted my hand with mock sympathy . Sweetie , this place runs on romantic catastrophes . Without bad decisions , no one would be buying drinks . Then she turned away and melted into the crowd, flipping into Social Queen Mode like someone had hit a switch . In under ten seconds , she completed a visual sweep - like a hawk zeroing in on prey - before spinning back around and pointing her perfectly manicured finger toward the edge of the dance floor . " Okay , listen . You need a rebound . Exhibit A : Six - foot - two , hair neater than your ex - fiance's moral compass , shirt unbuttoned just enough to scream sexy without slipping into cheap . He either owns a yacht or , at the very least , a VIP card . " I shook my head " Nope . " Her eyes flicked to a new direction . " Exhibit B : struggling musician . Dressed like payday hasn't happened yet , but he's hot enough you'd forgive him . You'd fund his next alburn and still sleep like a baby . " -Pass . She sighed , then pointed again . Tine . Exhibit : total dad vibes - but the good kind . Like hooks your doctor's appointment and breakfast dad , not calls the waitress ' sweetheart and thinks climate change is a myth ' dad . " ] I groaned into my hands . Tvanna , please . " your She didn't back down . " Mira , you cannot sit here like a decorative wall gecko . Tonight is about rebooting your life , not stitching up emotional wounds . " ] Just as she geared up for a fourth round of rebound recommendations , she suddenly froze . It was like someone had hit mute on her entire system Then , far too casually , she said , Tey , want to hit the bathroom ? 1 narrowed my eyes . " No7 Chapin 11 . " Or maybe let's move tables ? The vibe here's weird . " Her smile was tight , and her voice cracked like a pair of worn - out heels . Weird vibe ? We'd only been sitting for ten minutes , and we just ordered drinks . By Ivanna's standards , we hadn't even made it past the opening credits . Then I followed her gaze . A half private booth . Rhys . He had his arm draped around a woman . Her head rested on his shoulder , makeup flawless , smile polished and effortless I didn't need more details . That face I would never forget it . Four years ago , a girl vanished under mysterious circumstances . I , in all my naive glory , believed she had simply " stepped aside , " choosing to selflessly walk away from a future with Rhys . And now , here was Katherine - perched on my ex - fiancé's lap , locked in a pose so intimate it looked less like a casual bar date and more like a budget version of Fifty Shades of Grey . had told myself I was over it . Over him . We'd broken up . It was done . Time to move on Until I heard what came next . " Honestly , I didn't think she'd fall apart over a coffee mug Katherine's voice was soft , full of false pity - the kind that sounded like she'd just killed someone and was now gently tucking a blanket over the body She gently swirled the wine in her glass , her lips curling into a near perfect smile . " Of course I put that mug somewhere obvious . I wanted her to notice . After all , she still doesn't know you've been seeing me behind her back . It was time she caught a little hint , wasn't it ? " She looked up at Rhys , eyes glowing with admiration . " Honestly though , darling , your performance was spot on . Even I almost believed you were worried she'd find out about us , instead of just helping me pull off the scene . She's so stupid - of course she thought you were upset about the mug , not terrified of exposing your affair . Rhys chuckled softly , smug and relaxed . I had to act like I cared . She spends every day trying to be the perfect girlfriend . If she found out all her effort still couldn't compete with you , she'd lose it . " Katherine laughed under her breath and patted his chest . "Don't worry . Knowing Mira , she's probably still scrambling to fix things . She's the type who always belleves that if she just tries hard enough , people will finally see her worth Her laugh turned soft , laced with pity so th pity so sharp it felt like a blade . " But the harder she tries , the more pathetic she looks . And me ? I just happened to return home . Her parents don't know a thing . They didn't even get the chance to stop me , Tomorrow , I'll be seeing them in broad daylight - because she gave up the engagement herself , and you , dear , are blameless . " Katherine leaned back with a triumphant sigh . " Isn't this the best ending ? I never gave up on you . I was just waiting for her to step aside . Rhys nodded slowly , a small smirk on his lips . You're right . You always are . A loud roar filled my ears , and my heartbeat pounded against my skull like a war drum Ivanna must've been saying something - pleading with me to stay calm , not to do anything stupid - but I didn't hear a word . ] I wasn't the same Mira who swallowed her pride for praise anymore . I slipped free from Ivanna's grip and turned to the bartender . Your best red . Put it on on Rhys Granger's tab . The bartender - bless his beautiful , rule - breaking soul - didn't even flinch . He handed me the bottle like I'd just ordered mineral water . With the bottle in hand , I had a mission . A singular , burning purpose . The bouncer moved to stop me , but one look at my face - like a vengeful goddess straight from hell - made him wisely back off , hands maised in surrender . I marched straight toward Rhys and Katherine . They were lip - locked in some dramatic , second - rate soap opera make - out scene . I raised the bottle - and smashed it , with all my strength . Glass shattered with a sharp crack , spraying across the table . Rhys's forehead split instantly , a trail of blood beginning to drip down between his brows ] Katherine screamed and leapt off his lap . " Mirabelle ?! Are you insane ?! What are you doing here ?! " She scrambled to find a lie , panic rising in her voice . " You're misunderstanding , it's not what you think- | Rhys cut her off , his hand gripping her arm , his gaze dark and frigid . " Don't bother explaining , Katherine . It doesn't matter . My parents will take your side , no matter what . We're just correcting an old mistake . " ] Katherine's panic twisted into smugness in an instant . She curled into his side with sickening sweeness and cooed , " Oh , honey , your head's bleeding . We have to get to the hospital . " Before I could say anything , Ivanna rushed to my side , fury radiating from every pore . She raised her hand , ready to slap Katherine straight back to whatever pit she'd crawled out of . You disgusting , two - faced bitch - 11 I grabbed her wrist , steady and cold . Tvanna , let them go . If they stay here one more second , I might lose my appetite permanently . " I locked eyes with Katherine's smug little face and raised my voice deliberately . " After all , the theme of this place is premium taste , not some clearance aisle for secondhand trash . " [ ] Katherine's smile froze on her lips . Rhys's face darkened , but they had no chance to respond . Ivanna , emboldened , lifted her chin and sneered at the bouncers . " Well ? What are you waiting for ? Kindly escort these two walking health code violations off the premises .