The city skyline gleamed through the glass windows of the upscale gala hall, but the atmosphere inside was ice cold. Hundreds of wealthy guests in suits and designer dresses held up their smartphones, recording every single second of the public humiliation. Mark stood right in front of me, his expensive tuxedo jacket unbuttoned, his face red with sudden rage as he glared at me under the bright crystal chandeliers.
Mark: Emily! Don't make a scene in front of these people!
Emily: A scene, Mark? You think this is a scene?
Mark: You are embarrassing our entire family! Look at you!
Chloe: You're poison, Emily...
Chloe stepped out from behind Mark, smoothing down her tight blue silk dress that barely hid her round, pregnant belly. She looked at me with cold, bitter eyes, resting a hand over her stomach as if she owned the entire room.
Emily: Sweetness does that when you let it rot.
Chloe: You should have stayed home where you belong instead of ruining Mark's big night.
Emily: Is that what he told you? That I belong in the dark while you wear my jewels?
Mark: Shut up! Everyone is watching us!
I slowly turned my back to the crowded room, letting the ambient lights catch the massive, jagged tear running all the way down the back of my silver sequined dress. The crowd gasped loudly, the rustle of heavy silk and whispered gossip filling the large room. Mark lunged forward to grab my arm, but I stepped up onto the stage, pulling the main microphone right off its stand.
Mark: This is private! Get down from there right now!
Emily: I'm not the one with my hands on another woman. My husband and his guest tore my dress, but they can't tear down the truth.
My fingers clicked open my silver evening clutch, pulling out a small flash drive as the projection screen behind me suddenly flashed to life, casting a bright blue glow over the silent crowd.