Keira’s face transformed from confusion to pure rage in the span of a heartbeat. Her hands clenched into fists, and she took a step toward the bar where Luca stood, completely oblivious to the storm brewing across the room.
“That bastard,” Keira hissed under her breath, her voice deadly quiet. “I’m going to-”
“No!” Blair grabbed Keira’s arm, pulling her back before she could take another step. “Not here. Not now.”
“Why not?” Keira’s eyes were blazing as she strained against Blair’s grip.
Rose looked between them, clearly confused but fascinated by the sudden drama. “Wait, what’s going on?”
Blair’s mind raced. She couldn’t let Rose know the truth–not here, not like this. Rose was Roman’s sister, and whatever this situation was with Luca and Sutton, it would create a mess that Sutton didn’t want right now.
“It’s complicated,” Blair said to Rose, trying to keep her voice casual while still holding onto Keira’s arm. “Just some history.”
Sutton was still staring at Luca, her face pale and her breathing shallow. “I need to leave. Now.” Before turning her back on Luca.
“Of course,” Blair said immediately. “We’re going outside for some air.”
Rose looked between them with growing concern. “Is everything okay? Should I get Mum? Or Roman?”
“No,” Blair said quickly. “Don’t get anyone. Sutton’s just feeling a bit overwhelmed. The pregnancy, you know.”
It wasn’t entirely a lie, and pregnancy was something Rose would understand without asking too many questions.
“Come on,” Blair said, wrapping an arm around Sutton’s waist while keeping a firm grip on Keira. “Let’s go outside.”
As they started to move toward the terrace doors, Keira kept shooting dark looks back at Luca, her jaw clenched tight. Blair. could practically feel the rage radiating off her.
Rose followed them to the terrace doors, still looking worried. “Are you sure you don’t want me to get someone? Mum’s really good with pregnant women. I mean, she has done it twice.”
“We’re fine,” Blair assured her, though her heart was racing. “Just give us a few minutes, okay? Maybe let Roman know we stepped out for air if he asks.”
Rose nodded reluctantly. “Of course. Take your time.”
Blair guided Sutton and Keira out onto the terrace, grateful for the cool evening air. The sounds of the party became muffled as she closed the doors behind them, making sure they were well out of Rose’s earshot.
Only then did she let go of Keira’s arm.
“What the hell is he doing here?” Keira exploded the moment she was sure they couldn’t be overheard. “I want to rip his…”
Blair wasn’t sure what she wanted to rip off because she stopped as soon as Sutton sank into one of the chairs, putting her head in her hands. “I can’t believe this. Of all the places…”
“He’s Roman’s friend from university,” Blair said, her own mind reeling. “I met him once before at Roman’s house, but I had no idea… You never talk about him.”
“That he was the piece of shit who abandoned our sister?” Keira finished, already pacing the terrace like a caged animal. “I want to go back in there and-”
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Chapter 79
“Keira, no,” Sutton said without lifting her head. “Please.”
“But he hurt you,” Keira said, her voice breaking slightly. “He made you cry for months. He called you-”
“I know what he called me,” Sutton said quietly. “But I can’t deal with this right now. Not here. Not at Blair’s engagement party. This isn’t the night for my drama.”
Blair crouched down beside her sister’s chair. “Sutton, this isn’t your fault. And this party doesn’t matter compared to you.”
“Of course it matters,” Sutton protested. “This is your celebration. I can’t ruin this for you.”
“You’re not ruining anything,” Blair said firmly. “You’re more important than any party.”
Through the terrace doors, they could see the party continuing inside. Laughter and conversation drifted out to them, and Blair could see Roman talking to his uncle near the fireplace. He hadn’t noticed they were missing yet, but he would soon.
“What do you want to do?” Blair asked gently. “We can leave right now. I’ll make some excuse to Roman.”
Sutton was quiet for a long moment, staring at her hands. When she finally looked up, her eyes were bright with unshed
tears.
“I don’t know,” she whispered. “I wasn’t prepared for this. Seeing him brought back everything. The way he looked at me when I told him. The things he said. How hurtful…”
Keira stopped pacing and came to kneel beside Sutton’s other side. “We don’t have to stay. We can go home right now.”
Blair pulled out her phone. “I’ll text Roman and tell him you’re not feeling well. Which isn’t a lie.”
But what about you?” Sutton asked.
Il stay for a bit longer so it doesn’t look suspicious, then Roman and I will leave too. We were probably only going to stay another hour anyway.”
Keira looked through the doors at Luca, who was now laughing at something Roman’s cousin had said. “I hate that he gets to be here, having a good time. So where’s the good little wife?”
“I don’t know and honestly don’t care,” Sutton said, though she didn’t sound like she meant it. “I just need to go home.”
Blair stood up and typed out a quick message to Roman, explaining that Sutton wasn’t feeling well and they’d stepped outside for air.
“Do you want me to come with you?” Blair asked, handing her keys to Keira. “Roman can pick me up from your place later.”
As Keira helped Sutton to her feet, Blair hugged both of her sisters tightly.
“I’m fine. Go,” Sutton said softly. “This party is for you–please don’t leave. We can talk more tomorrow. I just… I just can’t let him see me.”
Blair watched as Sutton and Keira made their way around the side of the house toward the cars, making sure they were completely out of sight before she turned back to the party.
Taking a deep breath, Blair smoothed down her dress and prepared to go back inside. She needed to act normal, deflect any questions from Rose, and get through the rest of the evening without anyone figuring out what had just happened–namely
Luca or Roman.
But as she reached for the door handle, she found herself looking through the glass at Luca again. He was still talking and laughing, completely unaware that the woman carrying his child had been in the same room just minutes ago.
This was definitely going to get complicated.
