I grin despite my anxiety. Mom always knows the perfect thing to say to settle my frayed nerves. “You look incredible, Mom,” I say, admiring the white silk Ralph Lauren gown. It’s a classic figure-hugging design, and the material clings to Mom’s enviable curves. It dips low at the front, showcasing her cleavage, but it’s still classy and elegant. Mom has paired it with diamond studs in her ears and a matching bracelet and necklace.
“Wow. I’m going to be the envy of every man at this premiere tonight,” Dad says, entering the room. “You both look beautiful.” He kisses us gently on the cheeks, careful not to mess up our makeup. “This is for you from Reeve.” Dad hands me a small black velvet box.
“No crying,” Mom warns, spotting the emotion building in my eyes.
I pop the lid on the box, gasping at the gorgeous diamond earrings. My chest swells as my heart soars at the physical confirmation of his love. While I don’t need or want expensive gifts, it is the thought that counts. I know that sounds cliché, but it’s the truth. Just knowing he was thinking about me on his special night warms all the frozen parts of me. This is the Reeve I know, and I cling to that sentiment as we make our way to the limo and travel to the theater, because I know I’m going to need that reminder to survive this ordeal.
“Don’t make a scene, Mom.” I grab her arm to halt her forward trajectory. “I’m fine to sit here,” I lie, struggling to maintain my composure. I knew I wouldn’t be seated at the front, but shoving me into a seat by myself in the very back row of the theater over in the corner was not anticipated. If Bianca wanted to remind me of my place in Reeve’s life, she’s found a good way of driving the point home. My heart hurts. I’m in actual physical pain, and I don’t know if I’m strong enough to do this. Maybe it would’ve been better for everyone if I had bowed out, but I want to be here to support him. Even if he won’t see me hidden away like I’m an embarrassment.
I know Reeve would have requested I be seated with my parents, but no one in this town would dare relegate Lauren and Jonathon Mills to the shadows. They have no issue in disrespecting their daughter though.
“Absolutely not,” Dad says, scrubbing a hand over his chin. “Take my seat for now while I find someone to fix this.”
Mom extends her hand, and I clasp it as we walk down the center aisle to my parents’ seats, which are about ten rows from the front. “This isn’t good enough,” Mom says, as we sit down. “Reeve should’ve ensured you were looked after.”
“I’m sure he trusted it to someone else and they let him down.”
Mom opens and closes her mouth in fast succession.
“What?” I can tell something is on her mind.
She shakes her head. “It can wait. Let’s just try and enjoy the night.”
I spot Simon Lancaster, Reeve’s dad, talking to a couple of men in suits a few rows in front of us, and I’m glad he showed his face. All week, Reeve has been terrified he was going to pull out of attending. Noticing my attention, Simon waves to Mom and me, and we nod our heads in his direction.
Seats fill up fast, and there’s still no sign of Dad or the main cast members. A large crowd turned up to greet them, and I’m betting they are still outside on the red carpet giving interviews, signing autographs, and posing for photos with the fans. I’ve deliberately avoided checking the coverage on my phone, because I don’t want to witness Reeve and Saffron faking it for the public. I feel sick enough as it is.
“Hey.” Dad materializes at the end of our row, crouching down. “There’s nothing that can be done. They are at full capacity. I could make a scene, but that would force someone else to be moved, and I didn’t think you’d want that, honey,” he says to me.
“I wouldn’t.” I stand. “It’s fine. Don’t worry about me.” I’ll just go lick my wounds in the corner.
“Sit back down, Vivien. I’ll take your seat. You stay with your mom.”
“But Dad—”
“No buts, honey. No one puts my baby in the corner.”
I bark out a laugh despite the pain slicing through my chest. “So cheesy.”
“But so true. And it removed that sad look from your face.” Leaning in, he kisses me on the cheek. “I’ll be having words with that young man of yours later. This is not acceptable.”
I shake my head. “No, Dad.”
“I agree, Vivien. I’m disappointed in Reeve,” Mom says.
“Don’t say anything to him tonight, either of you. Please,” I beg. “This is his big night, and I don’t want to ruin it by upsetting him or arguing with him.”
“As you wish,” Mom says. “But this isn’t right. I haven’t said anything before now, because I didn’t want to interfere, but Reeve isn’t treating you right, and that isn’t okay with me or your father. Frankly, we expect more from him.”
“This isn’t the time, Lauren,” Dad says, as the main cast members appear at the entrance doors. “Enjoy the movie,” he adds before turning around to walk back up the steps.
My heart thuds painfully behind my rib cage as Reeve and Saffron approach. She has her arm linked through his, and she’s whispering animatedly in his ear. He’s laughing at something she says, and I swear I feel the rupture splitting my heart into two. Reeve looks so handsome in his custom-made Armani suit. Saffron looks like a slut in a monstrous red silk and lace dress that leaves little to the imagination. If the top was any lower, you’d see her nipples.
“Hey, Viv.” Rudy stops, leaning down to kiss my cheek. “You look beautiful.”
“Thanks, Rudy. This is my mom, Lauren.”
Rudy kisses Mom’s hand. “I’m a big fan, and it’s an honor to meet you.”
“Thank you. This is an exciting night for all of you. We’re looking forward to seeing the movie,” Mom diplomatically replies.
“Lauren, Viv.” Reeve stops to say hi with the clinger suctioned to his arm like she’s a bloodsucking leech. Her glowing smile falters a little when she sees me beside Mom, but she recovers fast.
That bitch. She must have had something to do with the seating arrangements.
“Oh my God, it’s so amazing to meet you, Lauren. You’re my biggest inspiration, and I just adore you,” Saffron gushes.
Mom gives her a tight smile but doesn’t reply, glancing away, and that’s as good a snub as anything she wishes she could say. I have never loved my mom more than I do in this moment. She always has my back, unlike some I could mention.
Saffron’s eyes glint with malice as she leans into Reeve, placing her hand on his chest and peering up at him like he hung the moon.
I want to rip her hands away and pummel my fists into her face until I reveal the ugly monster hiding behind that beautiful exterior. I swear she must have been put on this Earth to test my self-control. Gripping my armrests tightly, I latch on to my anger, because it’s better than letting the hurt take control.
The smile drops off Reeve’s face when he sees my expression. “You go on,” he tells Saffron.
“Okay, baby,” she croons, pulling his head down and moving her lips toward his. Mom clamps her hand down on my arm to hold me in place. If she kisses him, all bets are off. I don’t give a flying fuck how much trouble I’d land Reeve in.
Reeve turns his head, and her lips caress his cheek instead. Giggling, she shoots me a victory smile. “Don’t be too long. It’s just about to start. I can’t wait for everyone to see what amazing chemistry we have.” She walks off, grinning like she’s the master of the universe. In her fucked-up brain, she probably thinks she is.
So much for no kissing and offering the public only hints of a relationship. It seems to have gone from zero to sixty in the blink of an eye.
Intense pain settles on my chest, as if someone has taken a baseball bat to my heart. My insides are tied into knots, and acid churns in my gut. I’m glad I couldn’t stomach any dinner, because I’m pretty sure I’d have puked it back up. I wish I hadn’t come now, and I’m tempted to leave, but I won’t give that bitch the satisfaction.
“All that girl is missing is a scarlet A strapped to her chest,” Mom says, drilling Reeve with a harsh look I would not like to be on the receiving end of.
“I’m sorry about that. I know she’s a lot to handle.”
“I hope you know what you’ve gotten yourself into, Reeve, and I’m not the one you should be apologizing to.”