Amelia Clarke stared at the extra slice of strawberry cake placed beside her plate.

A sudden lump formed in her throat.

She swallowed hard, fighting back a wave of emotion.

She glanced quickly at Evelyn, hoping her momentary weakness went unseen.

"Thank you, Evelyn," she whispered, her voice thick with a gratitude that felt ancient.

Strawberry cake used to be her absolute favorite.

They fell into easy conversation, their laughter a bright counterpoint to the soft clatter of cutlery.

They shared bites of food, completely absorbed in their own little world.

Their obvious closeness did not escape the notice of the others in the room.

"Look at them. Evelyn and Amelia are just as tight as they were in college. I thought they'd have grown apart after all this time."

"Damn, Amelia really lucked out. If I'd stood up for Evelyn back then, maybe I'd be the one getting that special treatment."

"It's too late for regrets. Amelia showed up right after all the drama with Anastasia was over. Her timing was perfect."

"Do you think Amelia would have actually confronted Anastasia for Evelyn if she'd been here from the start?"

"With Amelia's quiet personality? Probably not. But Evelyn is fiercely loyal. Even after graduation, she still treats Amelia like a sister."

"Now that Amelia's going through her divorce and reconnecting with Evelyn, it's only a matter of time before Evelyn helps her get back on her feet."

As the murmured praises for Evelyn continued, Rebecca Thornton finally snapped.

She had been silently seething for too long.

"Oh, please," she scoffed, her voice dripping with disdain. "Evelyn isn't some saint. Stop fawning over her."

"Enough, Rebecca! Just stop!" someone snapped back, exasperated. "Open your eyes! Look at the designer dress she's wearing. Her husband clearly adores her. You and Anastasia are so obsessed with Alexander's wheelchair, but he's still a Blackwood. Do you have any idea the fortune he controls?"

"Exactly. I doubt his condition is as bad as the rumors say. He clearly treats Evelyn well. And helping Amelia? That would be nothing for her."

"Rebecca, you're just jealous of Evelyn's marriage. When are you going to land a rich husband and give us something to talk about?"

"You—!" Rebecca's face flushed with fury. These former classmates had grown sharp tongues.

She felt ganged up on and struggled to find a clever retort.

Her voice sharp with scorn, she continued her attack. "Envy? For marrying a cripple? Just eat your food, everyone."

Rebecca turned away from the group, her burning gaze fixed on Evelyn.

She refused to believe Evelyn's marriage was happy.

If it was so perfect, why did Evelyn come to this reunion alone?

If that wheelchair-bound husband of hers made an appearance, Rebecca was sure Evelyn's cheerful mask would slip.

A sly smile curved Rebecca's lips as a plan formed.

She stood up smoothly, picked up her wine glass, and walked over to Evelyn's table.

"Evelyn," she called, her tone deceptively sweet.

Evelyn turned, her eyes meeting Rebecca's unnervingly bright ones. "Yes?" she asked, her tone guarded.

Rebecca leaned in with a wide, insincere grin. "Evelyn, I really must apologize for what happened earlier. You know how Anastasia can be—completely domineering. She just bulldozed her way through, and I felt powerless to stop her."

Across the table, Amelia watched the exchange, her expression clouded with confusion. "What happened?" she asked quietly.