Chapter 3
That evening, to welcome the new hires, Mr. Anderson organized a team dinner.
The venue?
A lively BBQ joint with unlimited beer on tap.
Everyone was gathered around the long wooden tables, flipping steaks and ribs on the sizzling tabletop grills, passing around side dishes, and clinking their drinks together.
Sophia had just come back from the sauce station, a cup of dipping sauce in her hands.
She walked perfectly fine down the steps leading to our table.
But the moment she reached me–on completely flat ground–she suddenly tripped, and the entire cup of sauce went flying straight onto my shirt.
A few coworkers who witnessed the whole thing exchanged looks, their faces turning sour.
“Really? What is this, a reality show catfight? That was so obvious.”
Sophia straightened up, brushing nonexistent dust off her outfit like nothing happened.
“My bad,” she said, her tone light and sickeningly sweet.
“Didn’t mean to ruin Lucas’s little sweetheart’s night
Her passive aggressive smirk made my stomach turn.
One of the other girls had had enough.
She yanked Sophia by the sleeve, ready to go off.
“I hate girls like you,” she snapped.
“You knew you were the side chick, so stay in your damn lane!”
“You really think that whole innocent act still works-”
Before she could finish, a hand shoved its way between them, pushing her back.
Lucas.
He pulled Sophia into his arms like she was some delicate princess, shooting me a furious glare.
“Emily, when did you become this petty?”
I stared at him.
(nee Karma Fame Delivered
Chapter 3
My stained shirt was right there.
And yet, he acted like it didn’t exist.
The pain and confusion I felt just moments ago?”
“Gone. Replaced by something calmer, sharper.
“Lucas.” I said, my voice flat.
“Are those eyes of yours just for decoration?”
He froze.
He had known me for years.
Never once had 1 spoken to him like this.
Even when he hurt me, I’d just swallow it, let it slide, wait for him to realize he was wrong and come make it up to
- me.
But not this time.
Sophia clung to his chest, her voice trembling just enough to sound convincing.
“It’s my fault,” she murmured.
“She didn’t trip me–I just lost my balance and spilled my sauce
“Don’t be mad, okay? It’s not good for you.”
“She’s just a little upset, and that’s totally normal. I’ll apologize to her.”
She spun her little web of lies so effortlessly.
“I know you two were promised to each other since childhood,” she added with a sad smile. “You’re meant to be together.”
“I understand if you take her side.”
Lucas cut her off.
“I’m not letting you suffer because of her.”
He tu
He turned back to me, his eyes cold.
“There was no childhood engagement”
“My mom was just joking around.”
“Like hell I’d ever be interested in a jealous, scheming little fake like you.”
Chapter 1
With that, he wrapped his arm around Sophia and led her away.
She buried her face in his chest, her voice muffled.
“Take? You mean that ‘white lotus‘ thing you told me about before?
“Wow you really hit the nail on the head.”
1clenched my fists.
He got to say whatever he wanted.
And all I could do was stand there and take it.
I went to the bathroom and tried to scrub the sauce off my dress.
The cold, damp fabric clung to my skin, and for a second, it felt like my whole heart had frozen over.
When I returned, Sophia was all smiles, looking spotless and radiant
Lucas was sitting next to her.
And their table?
Full of guys–guys who were practically tripping over themselves to pour her drinks, serve her food, and hang ontol her every word.
My coworker scoffed.
“Why do men always go for girls like that?”
“Yours did. Mine did too.”
I knew her ex–husband had cheated on her with a manipulative little homewrecker.
She’d kicked them both out, and now they were struggling to get by.
Honestly, I kind of admired her for it
“He’s not my man,” I said, giving her a small hug–one that felt like I was also saying goodbye to my past.
“He’s hers. They’re perfect for each other.”
She looked surprised.
“After all these years, you’re really just… letting him go?”
I sat back down and picked up my chopsticks.
“You ever heard of the sunk cost fallacy?”
Chapter 3
This wasn’t just about Sophia.
Lucas himself was the problem.
And in a way, I owed her a thank you.
She showed me exactly who he was–while I still had the to walk away.
Maybe this was a blessing in disguise.
