Chapter 5 - The Gala of Glass
The annual Metropolitan Architectural Gala was the apex of the social season, and this year, it was held at the very site where I was set to unveil my final vision. Connor and Melinda arrived like royalty, their presence a calculated performance. Melinda wore a gown that cost more than a mid-range sedan, her arm locked tight through Connor’s. They were playing the role of the city’s “it” couple to perfection.
The tension in the ballroom was palpable. As I walked through the crowd, I felt the eyes of our shared acquaintances—the same people who had whispered about my "failure" a year ago. Tonight, I was the guest of honor, the architect whose design had been selected by the board, effectively sidelining Connor.
Melinda cornered me near the champagne tower, her smile tight and brittle. "I heard you’ve been doing some 'research' into Connor’s firm," she said, her voice dripping with artificial sweetness. "Be careful, Elena. People don't like a vindictive ex-wife. It makes you look desperate."
I set my glass down, unbothered. "Desperation is a trait for those with something to lose, Melinda. I’m just providing the board with clarity."
She scoffed, reaching out as if to straighten my collar—a patronizing gesture from our past life. "You’re still the same. Always digging, always trying to be the smartest person in the room. But in the real world, connections matter more than blueprints."
May you like
"You’re right," I replied, my voice carrying just enough for the surrounding guests to hear. "Connections do matter. Especially the ones you made while my marriage was still technically intact."
The surrounding group went silent. Melinda’s face drained of color as she realized I had baited her into a public confrontation. She stammered, looking for Connor, but he was across the room, engaged in a conversation with the board members who were already distancing themselves from him. The facade wasn't just cracking; it was shattering.
