Betrayed During My Engagement Party Chapter 04

Betrayed During My Engagement Party Chapter 04

The ballroom at the Hiltons Hotel was even more lavish than my engagement party.

Bigger than last time.

Crystal chandeliers, long tables, and a champagne tower.

Guests clustered up, clinking glasses, making small talk.

Luna wore a white gown, arm–in–arm with Silco, soaking up everyone’s blessings.

Her smile blazed–just like the day she stole him.

The moment I walked in, people noticed.

Whispers rippled out like water.

“Isn’t that… Mel?”

“What is she doing here?”

“Oh damn, is this gonna blow up?”

I ignored them.

I grabbed a glass of champagne and took a corner.

Luna hurried over, took my hand, and, fake as hell, announced to the room,

“This is my best girl, Mel. We grew up together. Even if there are misunderstandings, we’re always family.”

Her hand was ice–cold. Her tone was pure theater, and she was loving it.

I pulled my hand back and gave her a cool look. I didn’t say a word.

Silco walked up with a drink, wearing a perfectly polite smile.

“Mel, I’m glad you could make it.”

He showed no guilt.

“We split on good terms. Still friends.”

I looked him in the eye.

“Good terms?”

I chuckled.

“Of course.”

He shrugged.

“No one’s right or wrong in love. You don’t blame me; I don’t blame you. Isn’t that great?”

Then, he turned to the others and raised his voice.

“Everyone, let me use this chance to settle a few small accounts between me and Mel. So there’s no ‘misunderstanding‘ later.”

People closed in.

Some were curious, some thrilled, some already filming.

Silco cleared his throat.

“Mel and I were together for ten years. In those ten years, I bought her plenty. The gifts, flowers, clothes, and the venue for that engagement party. We’re broken up now. Gotta balance the books.”

He paused and looked at me.

“I did the math. About a hundred and fifty grand. Mel, when can you pay me back?”

The room went dead quiet.

Every eye was on me.

I swirled my champagne.

“You done?”

“Done.”

“My turn.”

I set the glass down and pulled a document envelope from my bag.

“First, we did not split on good terms. You cheated. I’m not arguing that point.”

I opened the envelope and took out the first sheet.

“These are cozy photos of you and my ‘best girl‘ Luna. You both dated six months ago. We hadn’t broken up yet.”

I held the photos up.

Silco’s face twitched, then smoothed over.

“Second, those ‘gifts‘ you say you gave me.”

I pulled out the second sheet.

“You took most of them back later. You said you needed startup capital and told me to cash it out for you. I wired it. Bank records are right here.”

I raised the paper.

“Third…”

I flipped to the third page.

“Over the years, the money I loaned you adds up to four hundred fifty–seven thousand three hundred

bucks.”

I looked up at him.

“You want a hundred and fifty back. Then, the four hundred fifty–seven you owe.me–when/are you paying that?”

Silco went pale.

Luna froze.

“W–What are you talking about?” Silco’s voice shook. “You gave me that willingly!”

“Willingly?” I let out a laugh. “Those IOUS are in your handwriting. Want me to read them out loud?”

The crowd started whispering.

“Four hundred fifty–seven grand… that much…”

Silco’s face flushed bright red.

Luna snapped her head toward Silco, eyes full of suspicion and fury.

“Didn’t you say you had a business, a company, and you’d give me the high life forever? What’s with all this debt?!”

She thought she’d snagged a rich guy. Turned out he was a leech who burned through women’s money.

Silco panicked and reached for her. “Luna, let me explain. It’s just a temporary cash crunch-”

“Temporary?”

I cut him off, my voice like ice.

“Relax. I’ve got one more gift. For Miss Luna.”