”
Emily swallowed hard, her hands clenching into fists at her sides.
”
I cut in, waving a hand dismissively.
“You spent your whole life treating me like trash. ”
I let out a mocking laugh.
”
Emily’s face was bright red now. Whether from anger or embarrassment, I wasn’t sure. Maybe both.
She glanced at her parents, my aunt and uncle, who had been standing awkwardly nearby, unsure whether to intervene, but they knew better than to push me now.
”
Emily tried again, this time in a hushed whisper.
“This is my birthday. ”
I gave her a long considering look.
“I’m ruining it? ”
She winced.
“I was wrong. Okay, I admit it. ”
I tapped my chin, pretending to think it over. Then I smirked.
”
Her shoulders sagged in relief
”
Her shoulders sagged in relief.
”
Emily stiffened.
”
I crossed my arms.
“Say it. ”
Her eyes darted around the room, taking in the stairs, the hushed murmurss of the guests who had witnessed the whole thing.
Her pride was battling her survival instinct. I could see the war raging inside her.
I leaned in just a little.
“Or, you know, I could just have security escort you out. ”
Emily swallowed heart. Her hands trembled slightly as she exhaled, then muttered under her breath.
”
“Louder,” I said, enjoying this way too much.
She clenched her jaw, then forced the words out, just loud enough for the room to hear.
”
I let the words hang in the air for a moment, savoring the taste of long overdue justice.
The room was dead silent, all eyes on Emily as she stood there, humiliated and furious, her face a deep shade of red.
I could tell she thought this was over, that she had swallowed her pride just enough to keep her precious party intact.
But she was wrong.
I let out a low chuckle, shaking my head.
”
I sighed dramatically.
“But you know what? ”
Emily’s head snapped up.
”
I turned to the security guard.
”
For a moment, Emily just stood there blinking like she hadn’t actually processed what I said.
Then she let out a short, nervous laugh.
”
The murmurss in the room grew louder
“You’re joking.”
I smiled.
“Nope.”
The murmurss in the room grew louder. Some guests outright gasping. A few even chuckled.
My aunt and uncle looked like they wanted to step in, but they knew they had no power here.
Emily’s eyes darted around, her panic setting in.
