Page 73 of Just Desserts

Gone was the demure, gentle wife I had known so well. Instead there was an excited glow, an almost rejuvenated aura aroundher, while she looked every part the warm welcoming host when her eyes met mine all I saw was ice. No hurt, no anger, just nothing, almost as if she was looking through me. As if I was nothing more than a piece of furniture in the room. For a minute I was grateful, assuming this meant we would all ignore each other rather than engage in a scene. Once again, it took me far too long to realize how wrong I was.

Alyssa

Seeing Isla on Myles arm, the beautiful host and hostess, started a burning sensation in my gut. I grit my teeth and watched them, tracking all of their movements. Did they invite us here on purpose? Just to humiliate us?

Isla's dress was an icy blue, making her blonde hair pop and eyes shine. Her hair was pulled up in an elegant twist, emphasizing the graceful slope of her neck. The open back gave her an aura of subtle sexuality, while highlighting her delicate form. The diamonds dangling from her ears sent rainbows when the light hit them, casting her face in an almost fairy like glow.

The color of her dress was so pale it almost looked white in some lights, giving the illusion that this was a wedding for Myles and Isla rather than a professional event. It was disgusting, they were shoving their relationship in everyone's faces. Making a mockery of everything I had worked for, everything I had done up until this moment.

Jonathan was frozen beside me, forced to face our biggest mistakes. We were getting curious looks from the partners and other team members at our table who were starting to recognize Isla. To my horror, I watched as Isla caught sight of us. A chilling smile spread across her face as she grabbed Myles by the hand and headed for our table. I felt Jonathan stiffen beside me but neither one of us had the time or emotionalfortitude to figure out how to play this.

As they approached, I was once again struck by how handsome Myles was. In the tuxedo with his hair slicked back he looked like James Bond, his broad shoulders and height making him a naturally imposing figure. The tuxedo gave him a grain of civility but it couldn't mask the primality of the man in it.

It was only the huge smile on his face that distracted from his aggressive form. It softened him, I had never seen him look so happy. It was all her fault. In the blink of an eye they were at the table, Isla heading straight for Martin and his wife. They both rose from their chairs to greet her.

"Martin, Rachel! It's so good to see you, I'm so happy you two could make it." Isla said, giving Martin a warm hug before giving Rachel a kiss on the cheek. Myles reached a hand out to Martin and introduced himself.

"Myles Bennett, it's nice to meet you both. We appreciate you coming to the event, it's important to Isla and her family." Myles said, pulling Isla into his side.

"Bennett? This is your hotel?" Rachel asked, her eyes widening.

"Isn't it lovely! He's done such an amazing job with it, and he's being far too modest. He let my Grams strong arm him into hosting this event, and catered to her every demand. I couldn't ask for a better boyfriend." Isla said, the final nail in the coffin.

As the rest of our coworkers watched the interaction like it was a tennis match, an awkward silence settled over the table before Isla finally turned to look at Jonathan and I. If looks could kill I'd be dead in my seat but to everyone else, Isla looked the picture of grace and poise.

"Jonathan, Alyssa I hope you both are doing well. Congratulations on moving in together, I truly wish you twothe best. I'm glad we could all put aside our differences for the night, thank you both for coming." I heard a gasp when she mentioned us living together and the silence was suddenly overcome with whispers.

"Alyssa, hope you're well, it's been a while since we last saw each other." Myles said, causing Jonathan to look at me wild eyed.

"You know him?!" He attempted to whisper but instead it was a hoarse shout.

"Alyssa and I go way back, her brother was my college roommate." Myles replied, he looked relaxed but the disdain in his eyes was clear.

Scrambling to come up with an answer I looked between a furious Jonathan to an amused Myles, my face beet red.

"Yes, well he lived with my brother we met a few years ago..." I started before Myles gave an overly cheerful laugh.

"Oh now, no need to drag up the past, especially when those meetings were so inconsequential. Don't be embarrassed Alyssa, everyone's gotten a bit too drunk at a party. You know all about that right Johnny?" Before I could respond Isla was whispering in Myles ear as he nodded.

"Well it was great to see you all, but we have a few things to attend too. Alyssa, give your parents my best. Everyone else, please enjoy the rest of the event and thank you again for attending." He pronounced, casually shoving a dagger into my already shredded heart.

My parents haven't said one word to me, they made no attempt to reach out even after I told them I was pregnant. I guess they were too busy with theirrealdaughter and getting to know her newest boy toy. My body was shaking as emotions competedto see which deserved the top spot in this moment. Jealousy? Rage? Embarrassment? They all kept me prisoner, frozen in place.

Time seemed to slow after that. Everyone at the table was ill at ease, unsure what to say to Jonathan or I but clearly interested in learning more. Jonathan wasn't looking at anyone and only spoke when asking for another drink. His level of inebriation was increasing rapidly as he gave up any pretense of keeping his shit under control in front of colleagues. He was muttering under his breath, his face getting redder each time he caught sight of Myles and Isla.

They were once again making their rounds like the damn King and Queen. I saw Isla stand on her toes to say something to Myles, who was looking down at her adoringly. He gave her a quick kiss before she pranced away. I mumbled an excuse and slowly followed after her, my body moving without my permission.

The servers were replacing silverware and a carving knife from one of the cocktail stations caught my eye, I grabbed it by the blade, uncaring of any danger to myself. I felt the sharp edge cutting into my palm as the handle pressed against my wrist. I kept my arm tight to my body, the knife hidden in the material of my dress.

I stepped into the bathroom and was pleased to see the main area was empty. I heard the click of the lock for the middle stall and stepped back so I was hidden from view. I watched as Isla's grandmother, the miserable old hag who arranged all this, walked over to the sinks. I stepped behind her and by the time she registered someone was there I already had the knife pressed to her throat and a hand over her mouth.

I didn't have a clear plan, my mind was a whirling mix of grief and rage. All I knew was I wanted her to hurt, I wantedeveryone to know how much pain they caused me. Just then my cousin stepped out of the remaining stall. Her head down as she adjusted her dress, it took her a moment to look up and register the scene in front of her. She gasped and covered her mouth, before making a step towards us.

"Alyssa, please don't do this. I know you're upset but let Grams go and we can talk about whatever you want, just you and me." She said as she tried to slowly approach.

"Enough with the martyr bullshit and stay where you are. You call for help and I'll cut this bitch so fast you'll watch her bleed out in front of you."

I looked around at the brightly lit bathroom, the door that could swing open at any moment and realized this wasn't the place for this conversation. This needed to be a family discussion. I looked up and locked eyes with Isla.

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