Chapter 4 The Tables Turn

(Lila)

I stood in the powder room, gripping the marble counter as I tried to steady my nerves. Nick had excused himself to take a business call, leaving me alone for the first time since our dance. 

My reflection stared back at me, red dress striking against my pale skin, diamonds glittering at my ears like tears.

The door opened behind me. I saw him in the mirror before I heard him—Ethan. He locked the door behind him.

“This is the ladies’ room.”

“Cut the act, Lila.” He stepped closer, and his reflection grew larger in the mirror as he did. “Or should I say, Ms. Montgomery?”

My heart stopped. “How—”

“How long have I known?” He barked out a laugh. “That you’re Jonathan Montgomery’s daughter? That you’re the heiress to the empire that’s been trying to take over my company for years?”

I turned to face him, lifting my chin. “Does it matter?”

“Does it matter?” He slammed his hand against the counter, making me jump. “You played me for a fool for an entire year!”

“Played you?” My voice rose. “I never lied about who I am. I just didn’t tell you my last name.”

“While watching me reject your father’s takeover attempts again and again. Was that fun for you? Laughing behind my back while I—” He cut himself off, running a hand through his hair in frustration.

“While you what, Ethan?” I stepped closer, anger making me bold. “While you compared me to Grace? While you called her name in your sleep?”

He flinched. “That’s different.”

“Is it? At least I was honest about my feelings. Everything I felt for you was real.”

“Real?” He growled. “Like those tampered condoms? Was that part of daddy’s plan too? Trap me with a baby so Montgomery Industries could finally get their hands on Baldwin Corp?”

The slap rang off in the marble room before I even realized I’d moved. His head snapped to the side, a red mark forming on his cheek. My hand was stinging.

“How dare you,” I whispered. “I loved you. God help me, I loved you enough to hide who I was, to live a double life, just so you would see me for me and not my family name.”

He grabbed my wrist as I tried to move past him, pulling me flush against him. “And now you’re with my uncle? Nicholas Baldwin?”

“Let go of me.”

“Answer the question.” His grip tightened. “How long have you been seeing him?”

I laughed. It was pain disguised as laughter. “Jealous, Ethan? Worried I might actually be happy with someone else?”

“He’s my uncle,” he spat. “My grandfather’s dirty little secret—”

“At least he sees me,” I cut him off. “The real me. Not some replacement for his long-lost love.”

His other hand came up to cup my face, finding its old place. “Lila—”

“No.” I jerked away. “You don’t get to do this. Not anymore. You made your choice when you ran straight to Grace. Now I’m making mine.”

“By dating my uncle? Is this revenge?”

“Not everything is about you.” I straightened my spine, channeling every bit of the pride I’d inherited. “Nick makes me laugh. He listens when I talk. And unlike you, he doesn’t see me as someone’s replacement.”

“You barely know him.”

“I barely knew you when we started, but that didn’t stop you from taking me to your bed.” The words were meant to hurt, and I saw them land. “Remember that night, Ethan? When you whispered how beautiful I was? Were you seeing me, or were you seeing her?”

He moved so fast I barely had time to gasp. One moment I was backing away, the next I was pressed against the wall, his body caging mine in.

“I don’t know…I don’t even fucking know anymore!”

“You’re lying.”

“Am I?” His breath fanned across my lips. “Then why am I here, cornering you in a bathroom instead of out there with Grace?”

“Because you can’t stand losing control. Because you’re used to having everything your way, and for once, someone chose someone else over you.”

“Is that what this is? You’re choosing Nicholas?”

“Yes,” I said, trying to appear stronger than I felt. “I’m choosing him. I’m choosing myself. And I’m done pretending to be less than I am to make you comfortable.”

“Lila—”

The door rattled, followed by a knock. “Darling? You in there?”

Nick’s voice broke whatever spell had fallen over us. Ethan’s grip loosened, and I slipped away from him, fixing my dress with shaking hands.

“Just a minute!” I called out, hating how shaky my voice sounded.

“Everything okay? The door’s locked.”

I moved to unlock it, but Ethan caught my arm. “This isn’t over.”

“Yes, it is.” I pulled free. “Go back to Grace. She’s probably wondering where you are.”

I opened the door to find Nick leaning against the frame, looking devastatingly handsome in his tuxedo. His smile faded when he saw Ethan behind me.

“Are you alright?” He wrapped an arm around my waist. I let myself lean into him

“Perfect,” I said. “Ethan was just leaving.”

Nick’s grip tightened slightly. “Were you? Because from where I’m standing, it looks like you were harassing my girlfriend in the ladies’ room.”

Neither of them backed down—uncle and nephew, so close in age they could have been brothers. Both powerful, both dangerous in their own ways.

“Your girlfriend?” Ethan laughed coldly. “How long have you truly known her, Nicholas?”

Nick ignored him and turned to me. Pleasant smile, deadly gaze. “Come on, darling. I believe they’re about to announce dinner.”

As Nick led me away, I couldn’t resist looking back. Ethan stood in the doorway of the powder room, snarling with pure rage until that last second, when something shattered behind his eyes.

“You know,” Nick murmured in my ear as we walked, “when your mommie dearest suggested I meet you tonight, she forgot to mention one tiny detail.”

“What’s that?”

He smiled wickedly. “That you’d be so much fun.”