Sybil sat beside him, playfully handing him drinks.
She wore our wedding ring. Javier noticed me staring and, with a casual air, waved it off. "What are you looking at? It’s just a little trinket I gave her to play with. Don’t take it so seriously."
“If you want one, I can get you another. It’s just cheap; don’t act like it means more than it does."
Was it our wedding ring, or had he given it to someone else?
And there, in front of everyone, he ground my dignity into the dirt.
It wasn’t the first time I had been in this kind of situation.
“So you made it back, huh? I thought you wouldn’t and I’d already told my mother to get your body,” Javier said, his eyebrows arched in mock surprise. He flashed a playful smile, his expression oozing careless charm.
I turned my cold stare to Sybil Jones and, without a second thought, slapped her across the face.
Javier didn’t stop me. He merely rested his chin on his hand, watching with a lazy smile. “Sybil, apologize to my wife.”
Sybil looked at me, her face full of disbelief. Her eyes reddened as she perched in Javier’s lap, pouting. “I know she likes you and I like you too.”
She paused, then continued, holding up a high school notebook. “But I also know how much she used to like you. Look, it’s all about you.”
My face was pale and in this world of fame and fortune, my years of secret longing were exposed to the harsh light of day.
Javier, how could you humiliate me like this?
"Javier, it's me, Natasha."
"He's playing basketball today and I want to bring him some water, but I’m too afraid."
“To see him today, I…”
“Who even has secret crushes anymore? That’s so gross! Totally disgusting!”
“Javier looks like someone’s got a crush on you!”
“A guy like Javier? Do you think you’re worthy?”
Sybil embarrassed me on purpose and the group of young men laughed. “Javier, you are something!”
“This girl’s got a crush on you!”
“What’s the point of liking someone? She got dumped, didn’t she? Serves her right!”
My fists tightened and I shot him a cold, unwavering gaze.
Javier’s expression turned cold. “She’s just a woman. Next time, I’ll strip her bare and let you all have your fun.”
“Cut it out. Don’t talk about my wife like that; get lost.”
The men fell quiet, recognizing the dangerous edge in Javier’s tone.
Seizing the opportunity, Sybil pouted, “Javier, I want that house of hers. Can’t you just give it to me?”