Julian’s smile froze. “Victoria, I’m genuinely congratulating you. Can you stop being so prickly?”
“Oh, please. I can’t afford to handle Mr. Ford’s ‘congratulations.“”
For once, Julian didn’t rise to my taunt.
“Victoria,” he said after a pause, his tone uncharacteristically calm. “These Louis XIV roses were flown in just for you. Didn’t you say you wanted them before?”
I hesitated, memories surfacing. I had mentioned it to him once, a long time ago.
Back then, I’d shared the stage with Averil af an event. I was the lead performer, and she was just a backup dancer.
After the show, someone brought an extravagant bouquet of Louis XIV roses onto the stage and handed them to Averil right in front of me.
That day, all the media headlines revolved around Averil. I, the lead performer, was reduced to her shadow.
At the time, I didn’t know Averil was Julian’s mistress. When I got home, I vented to Julian, feeling slighted.
His response was less than comforting. He’d scowled, calling me jealous and petty.
Feeling guilty, I reflected on my behavior and even gave Averil a few opportunities later, convincing myself I had been too petty.
It wasn’t until much later that I discovered those roses, the ones that hau caused such a stir, had been part of a path Julian had paved for Averil right over me.
“Yes,” I said with a bitter laugh. “I was a fool, waiting like an idiot for your pity.”
”
Julian shifted uncomfortably under the growing attention from the people around us. Victoria, I’ve already apologized. What more do you want? Can’t you just let it go for once?
Before I could respond, he pushed the rpses into my hands. “Take them. When the media arrives, you don’t even have to explain. Just stand there and smile. That’s all I’m asking.” I stared at him, my expression daring. “Would you really dare to let me face the media?”
Julian’s tone took on an air of feigned indulgence “Victoria, don’t be stupid. I know you’re the type who won’t turn back until you hit a wall, so I gave you some time to figure things out.
“You can see it for yourself now that Norman is just using you for fun. He’ll never commit to you. If he cared, he wouldn’t have stayed silent throughout this whole ordeal. I told you a long time ago that no man is perfect. They all cheat. You’d better learn to live with it.
“Besides, in this world, I’m the only one who could ever forgive and accept you, no matter
