CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX

SAVANNAH

Two weeks later

––––––––

"Oh my god," Briar gasps. "You look so beautiful."

I smile and glide my hands down the side of my dress. Dolce & Gabbana ended up designing the strapless ball gown I'm wearing. It's a shimmery powder blue and to cover my surgery scar they added a piece of chiffon which drapes over the shoulder and affixes to the skirt at my hip.

I love it.

Of course, there are pockets, which I slide my hands into, and shuffle my hips to make the skirt rustle.

Wow.

I feel like Cinderella who's going to the ball.

Instead, it's the Golden Globes.

After the media ran the story about me being shot by my assistant who was obsessed with Nick, and speculated about us being a love triangle, I decided to attend the awards evening on my own.

Being associated with him as a potential lover now is tarnished.

Michelle agreed.

"You do. You look amazing." Michelle says, taking photo after photo.

"Thank you, everyone." I turn to my team.

Ricco, Luis, Kali, Briar, and Ellie are all there, holding glasses of champagne as we take in all their hours and hours of hard work.

My long dark hair is twisted to the side and spiraling over the chiffon. My makeup is natural but glamorous and my nails are glossy with a slight blue sparkle in them.

On my feet are a pair of white Christian Louboutin with a pale blue sole.

That's right.

Powder blue to match my dress. The French designer created a line just for me and they'll be releasing it tomorrow after the Golden Globes.

Aidan and Marshall stand behind me, waiting to escort us into the limousine outside.

Speaking of, I can't believe Briar knows Aidan.

I overheard them having a tense conversation yesterday, so I had to ask if everything was okay.

She was forced to confess, I suppose.

"We knew each other a long time ago." Her eyes clouded over as she spoke.

"Like, knew each other?"

"We dated. It didn't work. The end," Briar said.

Oh.

"If it's uncomfortable that he's around..."

"No. It's fine. We've both moved on. He's... no," she'd replied and since then they both seem to just ignore each other.

I've been focused on getting my life back together. The day my mother and sister visited, I sat listening to them as I patted Max, feeling completely disconnected emotionally.

"How are you feeling?" Mom asked. "Gosh, we were worried."

I nodded.

"I can't believe she did that," Ivy said.

"Just terrible. You know, Savannah, if this happens again, or something more serious, we have no idea how to deal with any of your"—she glanced around the large living room of my mansion—"affairs. So we should talk about it."

And there it was.

"I have people who will do that," I said flatly.

"Well," she scoffed. "I'm your mother. Unless you're married, that should be up to your father and me."

Nope.

"It's up to who I say it is. My lawyers," I said, stroking Max.

"Whose cat is that?" Ivy asked.

"Why are you here?" I ignored her and dragged my eyes back to my mother.

"Listen, I realize you have people to deal with things and that's great, darling, but surely this thing with Gina has taught us all we need to be a closer family and..."

"You aren't in my will." I suddenly spurted out because I was tired. And wanted them gone.

They didn't care.

They wanted to know how to get their hands on my money if I died.

"What?" Ivy cried. "I told you, Mom!"

Mom's soft expression—her fake expression—hardened before my eyes.

I smiled, because fuck her.

"Gina told me how you conspired together," I said, shooing Max away.

I shot Marshall a glance, and he nodded to reassure me he was not going anywhere. Then suddenly I was filled with rage.

Where was Ryder?

Why wasn't he here with me?

Like everyone else, he had deserted me, and I wanted to tell him how cruel he was. Why bother being kind and calling my family out for not supporting me when he was just going to do the same thing?

His words, which had meant so much, now just hurt. They felt empty and yet lay inside my heart like heavy rocks.

I took all my anger for Gina and Ryder and my family and let it swirl around me like a vortex of power. Then directed it at my mother and sister.

"The only reason I let you into my home was so I could give you the opportunity to show me who you really are." I stood. "You didn't visit me when I was shot. You're here for my money. Spoiler alert—you will never get a single dollar."

"We will fight it." Mom hissed as she stood to face me. "I raised you. I deserve to get some of it."

"You will fail. But I will enjoy watching you waste what little money you have trying," I said, shaking my head. Then walked toward the door. "See these women out."

Marshall smirked as we both ignored the abuse being thrown at me.

"Ladies, please leave the house," Marshall said with great pleasure in his voice.

I had walked up my sweeping staircase as tears fell down my face. After that, I'd cried for days.

Ryder never contacted me.

Two days ago, weeks after I had last seen him, I sent Max home. I adored that beautiful cat, but it was like I couldn't move on because he was a constant reminder of the man I knew I loved.

One I had accepted I would never see again.

I drop my glass after taking a long sip and then clap my hands together. "Let's do this. Golden Globes, here we come."

I'm very excited.

Everyone jumps into action. I might be dressed and looking like Cinderella, but only half the job is done. Getting there and walking on the red carpet is a huge event all in itself.

Aidan opens the door and I see three limousines lined up.

Weird.

I thought we only needed two.