Page 55 of The Revenge

Although I am first to get to the bottom of the stairs, Syn’s quick to join my side and take my hand, leading me to a set of double doors. There are already a number of people on the other side, sitting at a table.

That table, like every other part of the apartment, looks like it has been pulled out of a magazine. It’s covered with a pristine white tablecloth, no crease or wrinkle in sight. Along the center is an intricate display of lighted candles, baubles, and miniature Christmas trees that match the large one in the corner of the room.

It looks like there’s enough room around the table to have at least four chairs along each side, but there are three along one, and two on the far side. The side closest to me with three chairs has two people seated, and opposite them, one chair is also occupied.

I’ve only met Syn’s mother, Juliet, but I’ve seen enough pictures of his father to recognize the man sitting at the head of the table at the far end of the room. I can’t remember if I read it online, or if it was something Penny told me, but every first-born male in the family is named James. Syn’s father is the sixth, but goes by his middle name, William.

The other three people are probably the Greatsons that Mrs. Keyingham spoke of. I don’t recognize any of them, but I’m sure they’re also part of the one percent.

Mr. and Mrs. Greatson look to be William and Juliet’s age. Both of them are staring at me like Mrs. Keyingham did when she met me, making no effort to hide their distain.

The third person shares enough of her looks with them to be their daughter. If Blair Waldorf was real, this would be her. Beautiful, elegant, and able to send me silent messages of hate through her dark eyes as she smiles sweetly at me.

Standing at the side of the room like they’re trying to blend into the background are several men and women in the samepale gray uniforms the maid was wearing earlier. One of the men steps forward to close the door behind us, and in doing so, seems to snap the room to life.

“So glad you could finally join us, son,” William says. “Are you going to introduce your friend?” There’s enough ice in the man’s voice for me to know that I’m standing in a room full of people who don’t like me.

Unfortunately for him, I’m used to it.

“I’m so glad that mother kept the surprise for me,” Syn says, like it’s not obvious that everyone there already knows who I am. “This is Victoria Anderson. My fiancée.” He angles his body towards me so he can introduce me to the people at the table. “You’ve already met my mother, Juliet. This is my father, William, and these are their dear friends, Frank and Margret Greatson, and their daughter, Lola.”

Syn leads me to the other side of the table and pulls the chair out beside Lola for me to sit in. I shouldn’t be surprised that he has manners, but after the last few months, if I wasn’t experiencing it firsthand, I wouldn’t believe it.

“Thank you,” I say, flashing him a smile.

After Cole was arrested, and we lost everything, I missed the luxuries in my life that I’d grown up used to having. Not long after me and my mom moved into the small apartment in Jersey, she’d gotten drunk, fallen, and broken the small dining table in the kitchen. We didn’t have enough spare money that we could afford to replace it, and I’d done my best to fix it with a roll of tape. I’d eaten most of my meals as the table rocked back and forth like the piece of folded paper wedged under the leg had gotten loose.

For a long time, I’d wished for everything to go back to how it was. I wanted my brother and dad back, but I also wanted a bed where the mattress didn’t come with a suspicious stain and several springs that would dig into my back. I missed eatingmeals prepared by our housekeeper, off plates that weren’t full of chips, and with cutlery that matched.

Being here makes me feel like I’m Cinderella, reliving the luxury she’d once had.

Only, the prince doesn’t care for me, and his family and friends would probably rather the butler sat down in my seat than me.

But it also makes me realize that as long as I can get my brother back, I’d rather eat my dinners squashed on that ancient couch beside my family than have to live through this.

Acting like I’m completely oblivious to the icy atmosphere, I sit back, settle my hands in my lap, and put a pleasant smile on my face as I watch Syn walk around to the other side of the table and take the seat opposite me.

By the time the first course is brought out, it’s clear everyone has decided that the best way to deal with me is to pretend I don’t exist. Syn is deep in conversation with his father and Frank, while at the other end of the table, Juliet and Margaret are discussing an event they attended, occasionally including Lola.

But while they may not be talkingtome, I’m well aware of all the not-so-subtle glances sent in my direction.

Honestly, if it wasn’t for the fact that the food was so delicious, it’d be just like being back on campus and eating my dinner in the dining hall.

It’s only when the dessert is placed in front of me that my existence is even acknowledged.

“So, how are things going at college, Synclair?” Margaret asks, raising her voice to catch the attention of the men at the other end of the table. “I assumed that with it being your final year, that you would have struggled to find the time to leave campus.”

Syn turns to face Margaret, fixing a smile on his face as he does. Syn doesn’t smile very often, and seeing this one makes me realize that as polite and charming as they are, the smile never leaves his lips.

“I thought you knew how important family is to me, Mrs. Greatson. How could I possibly not come home for Christmas?” Syn tells her.

Margaret makes a strange noise that I think is supposed to be a laugh. “You are funny, Synclair. That’s precisely why I ask. You’re in your final year, and yet you found the time to get off campus and find yourself a girlfriend to bring home and surprise us all with.”

“I’m also a student at James Keyingham University. And I’m his fiancée,” I say before giving Margaret my own fake smile. “But don’t worry, I think I was just as surprised as you by his proposal. Sometimes, I have to keep looking at my engagement ring to remind myself.” I hold my left hand up in front of me, but instead of showing off the ring, I stare at it myself.

“You’re also a student? At James Keyingham University?” Juliet asks as though Syn hadn’t told her this before. She cocks her head, her eyes darting back and forth as she stares intently at me. “I thought there was a dress code.”

I lower my hand and make sure to keep the smile on my face. “Of course there is, but why would I be wearing my uniform now?”

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