Crushed By The Man I Saved

The engagement party was held on the sweeping lawn of Jasper's seaside estate in the Hamptons.

When I arrived, Camilla was slipping into an expensive haute couture gown.

It was pure white silk, with an intricate, jeweled clasp at the back that glittered dazzlingly under the lights.

She saw me and waved with a saccharine smile. "Aurora, come help me. Is this clasp a little loose?"

I walked over and, with my eyes downcast, reached out to adjust it.

The moment my fingers brushed the cold jewels, Camilla cried out and stumbled, knocking a glass of red wine from a nearby table. The contents splashed in a perfect arc across her pristine gown.

"Oh!" She covered her mouth, her eyes instantly welling with tears. "Aurora, I know you hate me, but you can't ruin my dress..."

A hush fell over the guests as every head turned in our direction.

Jasper stormed out of the house, his face a thundercloud the moment he saw the garish red stain on Camilla's chest.

"Aurora Dawson!" He seized my wrist, his grip so tight I felt my bones might snap. "Did you do that on purpose?"

I shook my head, my hands starting to form an explanation.

But he wasn't looking. He dragged me toward the cliffs behind the estate.

"Since you love causing trouble so much," he snarled, shoving me toward the cliff's edge. I scrambled back in fear, but he blocked my retreat with his foot. The sea wind whipped my clothes around me. "Why don't you cool off right here!"

In the next instant, I was teetering on the very edge of the cliff.

The cold sea wind battered me, making it hard to keep my balance.

I struggled to take a step back, only to see Jasper standing a few feet away, glaring down at me with cold indifference.

Camilla was nestled at his side, whispering, "Jasper, let it go. I'm sure she didn't mean to."

"Didn't mean to?" Jasper sneered. "I know exactly what she's like. She can't stand to see anyone else happy!"

I stood in the wind, trembling from head to toe.

My hand shot out, grabbing a nearby rock to steady myself.

But Jasper's shoe came down, pressing hard on the back of my hand.

"Did I say you could move? Just stand there. When the party starts, you can come out and do your job."

Camilla tugged at his arm. "Jasper, the guests will be here soon. This doesn't look good..."

"What's the problem? She's just a cleaner. Who's going to care if she falls?"

He wrapped an arm around Camilla's waist, and they walked away.

I stood on the cliff's edge, watching their retreating figures.

The sun was bright, the lawn was a vibrant green, and the white of her gown was so brilliant it hurt my eyes.

It was just like our wedding day five years ago.

The same beautiful weather. The same kind of lawn.

He had held my hand and said, "Aurora, I will love you forever."

Later, forever shrank to three years.

Shrank to a wildfire.

Shrank to this: standing on the cliff of his estate, waiting for his engagement party to begin so I could serve drinks to his guests.

I don't know how much time passed before I heard Arthur, the butler, call out from a distance, "You there. Time to get to work."

I opened my eyes and saw him standing a short distance away, expressionlessly tossing a server's uniform in my direction.

As I walked toward him, my legs were so weak I could barely stand.

Arthur frowned. "Get changed. Quickly. The guests have all arrived. Mr. Stephens has instructed you to be in charge of the beverage station. No mistakes."

I nodded, took the uniform, and headed for the staff changing room.

As I passed the master dressing room, I heard Camilla's bright laughter from inside.

"Jasper, do you think these diamond earrings match the gown?"

"They do," Jasper's voice was unnervingly gentle. "You look beautiful in anything."

"And... more beautiful than Aurora?"