---- 347.


    THE TRUE AND THE FALSE KATHERINE Murmurs suddenly arose near me.


    I felt Elliots arm grow slightly tense.


    I tried not to jump to conclusions, but as that beautiful voice drew closer, the woman sang a bad filled with passion, as if meant for a forbidden lover, and her gray eyes casually searched through the crowduntil they locked onto aman.


    Intensely, without much pretense, that striking singer, the so-called Zafiro, seemed to be dedicating her love song to Elliot.


    ?Oh, Brenda is bold.


    Look at her, not even respecting the man''s wife being right there...


    .Pft, honestly, thats an open secret.


    I dont even know why the Duke brought her...


    To humiliate her, obviously...


    Some whispered words reached me from behind.


    I lifted my chin and nced at Elliot from the corner of my eye, assessing his reaction.


    He sipped from his ss, not looking at Brenda, who now seemedpletely assured of herself.


    She was his mistress.


    He had brought me to this party where his lover waswho, on top of it all, was now making her way through the crowd, singing her romantic nonsense, directly dedicating it to him right in my face.


    Honestly, I felt utterly ridiculous.


    Thad never been in a situation like this before.


    It was clear we were the ---- center of attention.


    Athousand possible reactions ran through my mind.


    Truthfully, all 1 wanted was to pull away from Elliot and leave.


    But no, I would endure this with grace, because I wasnt about to give that shameless whore the satisfaction of seeing me defeated, crushed beneath her heel.


    Iwas the wife herewithout happiness, without love, or whatever else but the title was mine, and no mistress was going to challenge me for it.


    Thad suffered half my life and buried my sister to secure this ceI wouldnt hand it over to her! I looked at her coldly and didnt move away from Elliot.


    I waited for her to approach.


    The crowd parted as they hummed along to the song, shifting aside to give her space to continue her performance, aimlessly.


    Elliot said nothing either, acting as if everything was normal, even chatting quietly with a man beside him.


    Causing a scene wouldnt be wise, but I truly hoped he wouldnt humiliate me in front of everyone.


    The singers gray, smoky-shadowed eyes met mine.


    Her glossy red lips moved as her throat vibrated with high-pitched notes.


    The wretched woman sang beautifully, to make matters worse.


    ?I love you beyond distance, beyond those who judge us without knowing our deepest feelings...


    Damn miserable bitchhow does she not choke on her own venom?! She reached out a hand into the air.