“That’s hrious. I was wondering why she disappeared the moment she arrived–turns out she’s just trying to avoid embarrassing herself.”
“You only just realized? If she were still Rowan’s sister, the Atwaters might have shown some restraint. But now that she’s fallen out with Rowan,
marrying into the Atwaters is the best she can hope for–just trying to climb the socialdder. Frank wants to get back together with the woman he actually loves, so she’s left out in the cold.”
Elissa had just wanted to enjoy the gossip, but the more she listened, the more she realized the gossip was actually about her.
“So tell me, why hasn’t she filed for divorce yet? What’s she holding on for?”
“Money, obviously. What else? She’s just a nobody, a junior doctor with no family to speak of. She spent her whole life clinging to the Murphys, and now she’s desperate to hang on to the Atwaters for the rest of it.”
Tanya Foster’s face darkened as she overheard, and she started to get up, but Elissa stopped her.
“It’s fine. I’ll handle it.”
With that, Elissa stood and walked out.
The two women kept chattering<i>, </i>oblivious to Elissa approaching behind
them.
“I mean, she looks so innocent, but who knew she was such a schemer? All she wants is to leech off other people.”
“What did you expect? She’s an orphan, grew up without parents–what decent persones from that…”
Elissa lightly tapped one of them on the shoulder and chimed in, “What are you talking about? Who’s so indecent?”
“Who else? That <b>Eliss-</b>” The woman turned and froze mid–sentence,
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staring at Elissa like a deer in headlights.
Her face flushed with guilt. She cleared her throat and tried to y it cool, ncing across the room. “We were talking about your dear sister–inw. I mean, how can she still be hanging around your husband, acting like it’s totally normal? Shameless, really.”
She pretended to be outraged on Elissa’s behalf.
Following her gaze, Elissa spotted Frank–when had he arrived?-sitting next to Marcia.
To anyone watching, you’d think they were the married couple.
Sensing eyes on them, Frank and Marcia both looked over at Elissa’s
group.
Frank seemed genuinely surprised, probably not expecting her to show up at his friend’s birthday party unannounced.
Marcia, on the other hand, recovered quickly. She stood up with a bright smile, heels clicking as she crossed the room. “Elissa! When did you get
here?”
“Why note over and join us? Why are you hiding out here?”
“We’re standing up for you, of course,” one of the women replied.
Elissa looked at the two culprits, her smile pleasant but her eyes sharp. “Is that so? Because I just heard you both calling her a homewrecker and saying she has no shame.”
Both their faces turned beet red.
“Elissa, what are you talking about? We were obviously talking about you! Not Marcia!”
“Oh really?”
“Of course!” The two women doubled down, feigning indignation. “Why would we say anything about Marcia? In matters of love, the one who isn’t loved is always the third wheel.”
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They’d never intended to offend Elissa–at least not to her face–but now that Marcia was involved, it was time to pick sides. And in their social circle, everyone knew Elissa was Frank’s wife in name only, while Marcial was the one he truly wanted.
Marcia’s expression softened immediately, her confidence restored as she yed the peacemaker. “Elissa, they’re just joking around. There are so many people here–don’t take it to heart.”
Elissa’s eyes crinkled as she smiled, unlocking her <i>phone </i>and pressing y. The recent recording echoed out:
“Your sister–inw–how can she still be hanging around your husband, acting like it’s totally normal? Shameless, really…”
The volume was just right–loud enough for Marcia to hear every word, but quiet enough not to disturb the rest of the party.
“Turn that off!”
Humiliated by her own words, Marcia couldn’t control her temper. When Elissa didn’t move, Marciashed out and pped the phone out of her
hand.
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