Ava stood near the grand marble pillars inside the bright hotel ballroom, clutching her modest purse tightly.
The bright chandeliers cast long shadows across the polished floor where dozens of wealthy guests stood chatting.
She adjusted her simple white dress, feeling entirely out of place among women wearing designer gowns and expensive diamond necklaces.
Her heart beat fast against her ribs as she looked around for Julian, hoping he would come save her from the cold stares.
They had been dating for six months, but he had kept their entire relationship a complete secret from his wealthy inner circle.
Tonight, Julian had invited her to this exclusive gala, promising her that he would finally introduce her to his elite family.
Ava took a quiet step toward the catering table, trying to blend into the shadows of the massive banquet hall.
Suddenly, the sound of sharp high heels echoed across the marble floor, stopping right behind her back.
She turned around quickly and found herself face-to-face with Chloe, the wealthy heiress everyone expected Julian to marry instead.
Chloe held an open bottle of vintage champagne, a cold and cruel smile spreading wide across her painted red lips.
Chloe: Look what the wind blew into our high society party tonight.
Ava: I was invited by Julian, Chloe.
Chloe: Oh darling, you really thought you belonged in a room like this?
Before Ava could step backward, Chloe reached out and violently grabbed Ava's shoulder, forcing her down onto her knees.
The entire crowd around them fell silent as Chloe tilted the heavy glass bottle directly over Ava's clean white head.
Cold liquid poured down Ava's dark hair, soaking through her clothes and splashing heavily onto the marble floor below.
Chloe: Oops, clumsy hands! Hahaha!
The crowd of wealthy patrons burst into quiet snickers as Ava gasped from the icy shock of the expensive alcohol.
She fell forward onto her hands and knees, tears welling up in her eyes as the liquid ruined her dress.
Julian stepped out from the surrounding circle of onlookers, holding a fresh glass of sparkling wine in his right hand.
Instead of helping her up, he stood over her soaked body with a cold smirk on his handsome face.
Julian: Guess you don't belong here, Ava.
Ava looked up through her wet strands of hair, her heart breaking into a thousand sharp pieces right there.
Ava: Julian... please help me up.
Julian: You humiliated yourself by showing up in that cheap dress, Ava.
He tilted his glass and tipped the rest of his drink onto her trembling hands, laughing alongside his wealthy friends.
Ava lowered her head to the hard floor, sobbing helplessly as tears mixed with champagne dripped off her chin.
She felt completely defeated, isolated, and destroyed in front of hundreds of laughing strangers who enjoyed her public suffering.