CHAPTER 041: A Pampered Princess

I'm not a religious person. In fact, there’ve been very few times in my life when I’ve actually prayed. But today? Today might just be one of those days. God, please get this bitch out of my sight.

“Isn’t this cozy?” Mabel sneers, her eyes sweeping over the designer clothes draped across my arm. “Playing dress-up, are we?”

Mike’s gaze follows suit, his eyes narrowing with judgment. I know exactly what’s running through his mind. He’s probably trying to figure out how I went from scraping by to standing in a boutique this grand. But there’s something else in his expression too—something that looks an awful lot like jealousy. Or is it regret?

I square my shoulders, refusing to let them see even a flicker of anxiety. “I’m exactly where I need to be,” I say, lifting my chin. “What about you two? Came shopping for the big day?”

I can play nice. We can all pretend this is just a casual, friendly encounter. Like I don’t want to smack the smug grins right off their faces.

Mabel steps closer,