9

My chest tightened as I read the headlines. "Billionaire Alexander Burke Spotted Cozying Up with Ex-Flame Tricia: Rekindling Old Flames?"

My eyes scanned through the article, they even mentioned the fact that I wasn’t present at the dance during his party. The photo accompanying the piece showed Alexander laughing with Tricia.

My eyeballs shot out when I noticed Tricia was also wearing the necklace from the auction. I felt like I’d been punched in the gut and I couldn’t breathe. My mind was racing with different thoughts I couldn’t process.

My father and siblings were staring at me, their faces mixed with shock and curiosity. “What’s the problem?” David asked, breaking the uncomfortable silence.

Before I could say anything, my mother answered. “Her husband is having coffee with another woman.” Her voice was laced with a mixture of disdain and disappointment. She sounded like it was my fault. Like I was the one who drove him to his ex and asked them to meet up. “You can’t even keep