“For letting me spend such a great time with Skyler yesterday in the Maldives. It was memorable.” She leaned closer to him, resting her head on his arm, her expression smug as her fingers intertwined with his.
“It was no big deal. Don’t mention,” Skyler added casually, patting her cheek with a smile that stung like a blade.
I felt my blood boil, but before I could respond, Amira chimed in, “Is someone missing out on the great moments?” Her eyes settled on me, gleaming with satisfaction as she watched my discomfort surface.
“I think I’ll take my leave now,” I said, pushing my chair back, my voice barely holding steady. No one said a thing; they simply continued eating as if I were invisible.
Just as I turned to leave, Tia’s voice cut through the air. “Oh, you got that scarf? I guess it was impossible to get the real one.” Her head tilted as she fingered the fabric around her neck, and for the first time, I noticed it—the real designer scarf, wrapped elegantly around her throat.
Amira gasped dramatically. “Is that the latest piece by Antonio Rivadeneira? It’s stunning!”
Tia smiled sweetly. “Yes, Skyler got it for me from Paris. It’s even custom-made.” She touched it delicately as if it were a crown.
Amira glanced at my scarf, her smile faltering as she quickly tried to mask her words. “Oh... I didn’t realize they made knockoffs of such a recent design.”
Skyler shamelessly shrugged. “I just picked it up from a thrift shop downtown. Thought it suited Raya.” His words hit me like a punch to the gut.
How could he do this? I instinctively touched the scarf around my neck, feeling the cheap fabric, my eyes drifting to Tia as she beamed at me with satisfaction. It was as clear as day—I meant nothing to him. I’d had enough.
I grabbed my purse and left without another word.
“Oh my, is Raya upset?” I overheard Tia's voice, sounding fake and sweet. “Go talk to her, Skyler.”
“No. Let her be. She never wanted to come here anyway,” he said, dismissing me without a second thought.
As I reached the exit, I cast one last glance over my shoulder at him, his arm still wrapped around Tia. It was like I’d never even been there. After that, I left without sparing another glance.