The force of his push sent me stumbling several steps before I caught my balance. The crowd surged past me, rushing toward the terrace.

Alice had climbed onto the ledge. Wind whipped her gown at that height, the fabric snapping like a flag. She stared straight at me, her eyes filled with nothing but hatred. "Cecily Harding, you worthless tramp! You keep seducing my husband, so I'll die right in front of you!"

Gasps erupted from the crowd.

Dustin stood a few steps away from her, his eyes full of regret and raw terror.

"Baby," his voice shook, and he inched forward with agonizing caution, "please come down. Just come down, and I'll never see that woman again."

Alice gripped the railing and shook her head like a woman possessed. "I don't believe you! Dustin Delgado, you bastard, I will never believe you again!"

"What do I have to do? Tell me. I'll agree to anything!"

Everyone held their breath, completely taken in by her flawless performance.

And I stood at the back of the crowd, suddenly so exhausted I just wanted to leave.

"I want that filthy whore on her knees! I want her to apologize and admit she's the homewrecker who stole another woman's husband!"

What?

I looked up in disbelief, only to watch Dustin take a deep breath and turn to me, his voice like ice. "Apologize to Alice. Now."

"Tell her you're the other woman."

My breathing stopped. My heartbeat stopped. My blood froze solid.

Seconds of silence passed before my entire body began to tremble. "Dustin Delgado, you want me to kneel before the woman who stole my husband and announce to everyone here that I'm the mistress?"

Dustin seized my arm. "Yes. Now."

My eyes flooded with red. "Never."

The word ground out through clenched teeth, soaked in blood and tears, carrying the last scrap of dignity I had left. Dustin froze for a split second. In that instant, I wrenched free of his grip and turned on my heel.

I tore down the corridor, burst into the restroom, and locked myself in the last stall.

I had never imagined Dustin would do this to me. Even if the love was gone, I never thought he would make me stand before a room full of people and let my dignity be trampled into the ground.

The tears came anyway.

I sat on the closed toilet lid, buried my face in my knees, and fought to steady my breathing, telling myself that this man was not worth a single tear.