Angela nodded. “He needed you to believe it so he could believe it.”
Nikki’s eyes flicked to David, and something shifted. A crack in her loyalty.
Then Angela faced David again, and the room felt like it exhaled, waiting.
“And you,” Angela said, voice clear and steady, “my soon-to-be ex-husband.”
David flinched as if the words were a slap.
“I forgave you a long time ago,” Angela continued. “Not because you asked, but because I needed to be free in my own heart.”
David’s eyes widened, a pathetic hope rising.
“But today,” Angela said, “I finally have the courage to leave you.”
She smiled, not triumphant, not cruel, but resolved.
“Expect the divorce papers soon,” she said. “And now, David, you will leave my hotel respectfully.”
David stared at her. The man who had walked in ready to humiliate her now looked like he wanted to disappear into the floor.
For a moment, he tried to stand tall. Old habits. Old performances. But he couldn’t find the posture anymore.
He stood, chair scraping the floor loudly in the hush.
Nikki rose too, cheeks burning. She wouldn’t meet anyone’s eyes. Not even David’s.
They turned to go.
And as they walked toward the doors, the guests didn’t clap. This wasn’t entertainment anymore. It was consequence. It was a mirror held up to arrogance, and people didn’t know whether to celebrate or feel uneasy about how quickly anyone could become David if they weren’t careful.
David paused near the entrance, looked back once, and his voice broke. “Angela… I’m sorry.”
Angela didn’t move.
