I headed toward the velvet rope to explain to the security guard that I didn't need a guest ticket because I was part of the graduating doctoral class. Before I could open my mouth, Thomas's hand shot out. His fingers dug painfully into the flesh of my upper arm, his grip like a vicious idiot. With a violent jerk, he yanked me back, physically tearing me off by the tail and dragging me toward the rain-soaked, unsheltered steps.
"What the hell do you think you're doing?" Thomas hissed, his voice a dripping, furious mockery. He looked at my soaking wet hair and the simple black slip I wore over my dress. "You're going to ruin Haley's photos that make her look like a drowned rat. I told you yesterday, you're just an assistant. You don't belong at the VIP entrance. Go wait in the car. Don't embarrass us in front of these rich doctors!"
Victoria walked past, flanked by Haley. She paused long enough to look me up and down with an expression of pure, unadulterated disgust. She gave a small, cold, disdainful laugh as she tucked a stray strand of Haley's perfectly styled hair back into place.
“Listen to your father, Clara. Let your sister have her moment. Go dry off somewhere out of sight.”
Thomas released my arm with one last, forceful shove toward the bottom of the outside stairs. My heel slipped on the wet stone, and I stumbled, barely catching my balance on the icy bronze banister.
I stood completely alone in the freezing downpour. I stared at the heavy, magnificent bronze doors of the great swing set closed behind them, cutting off the warm, golden light from within. The utter, astonishing betrayal fractured something deep inside me. They weren't just indifferent; they were actively, gleefully cruel. The rain mingled with the hot tears that streamed down my eyelashes, blurring the world into a gray smear.
Wiping the cold rain from my face with a trembling hand, I stepped away from the gates. My spirit felt scraped and hollow. Maybe I couldn't do this. Maybe I should leave.
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