Chapter 116
Summer’s POV
I lounged on the terrace, scrolling through Ruby’s increasingly frant texts about the upcoming Columbia reunion.
My phone rang – Kristina, my old class president.
“Summer! Thank God you picked up,” her energetic voice came through. “You’re coming to the reunion, right? Please say yes!”
“I don’t know, Kristina. Is it really worth the drama?”
“Absolutely! Half the department is showing up.” Her voice softened. Please say yes, it’s going to be fun!”
“Fine,” I sighed. “I’ll be there.”
Brandon emerged from the bathroom with water still dripping from his hair. I grabbed a towel and gestured for him to sit.
“You’ll catch a cold if you don’t dry properly,” I scolded, gently working the towel through his damp strands.
“I might be late tomorrow,” I mentioned, focusing on a particularly stubborn cowlick. “The alumni reunion.”
“Have you going?” Brandon asked, eyes closing as I massaged his scalp.
“Yeah. I wasn’t planning to, but Ruby and Scarlett are insisting, and our class president called personally, so…”
“Go if you want to,” he said, capturing my wrist to kiss my palm. “You’ve been cooped up at home too much lately. Going out is good for you.”
“I won’t be able to make dinner.”
“It’s fine. I have a business dinner tomorrow anyway.”
I continued working my fingers in small circles at his temples – a technique I’d learned after noticing how he rubbed this spot when
stressed.
“Columbia alumni,” Brandon said carefully. “Be careful, hmm?”
I paused, suddenly alert to the undercurrent in his voice. “You think there might be trouble?”
He shrugged casually, but his eyes remained intense. “Just be aware. Victoria moves in those circles too.”
“I understand,” I said softly. “I’ll be careful.”
The next morning found me in the garden, pruning roses when Ruby called again.
“We’re meeting at seven, right?” she asked without preamble. “The reunion starts at seven, but we should get there closer to eight. Make an entrance, you know? Oh, and guess what – Victoria’s going to be there!”
I nearly dropped my shears. “Victoria? Are you sure? She never comes to these things.”
“Well, she’s coming to this one,” Ruby replied gleefully. “That little bitch usually thinks she’s too good for alumni events. I bet she’s
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up to something.”
“Come on,” I sighed. “We’re all classmates, after all.”
After hanging up, I sank onto a garden bench, memories washing over me. Victoria and I had never been close, but college had been particularly toxic. When she was forced to repeat a year due to poor grades and ended up in my class, everything became a competition. Each time I outperformed her, I’d return home to Elizabeth’s lectures about “humiliating my sister.”
The only peaceful period had been those two years when Victoria lef to pursue acting in Hollywood. Without her shadow, I’d finally been able to breathe.
And now she was coming to the reunion. Victoria never did anything without an agenda.
The Manhattan Club glittered with understated luxury, its private event space transformed by Kristina’s expert touch. White roses and blue hydrangeas adorned every table – Columbia colors.
“Look who decided to grace us with her presence,” Scarlett teased as Ruby and I arrived at eight. “I almost thought you weren’t coming.”
“And miss all this?” I gestured around. “Not a chance.”
As we mingled, I noticed the subtle shift in conversations whenever approached. People would smile, greet me warmly, then inevitably mention Victoria.
“Your sister’s doing amazingly well in Hollywood,” one former study partner gushed. “And now she’s signed with Stark Entertainment? That’s major!”
“Are you still in finance, Summer?” another asked, barely waiting for my answer. “Victoria mentioned you’re taking time off. Must be
nice!”
Ruby appeared at my elbow, her expression thunderous. “This is ridiculous! Do you hear how they’re talking? Victoria this, Victoria
that. She wasn’t even at most of our classes!”
“It’s fine,” I shrugged, though the constant comparisons stung.
“The way some of these guys are drooling – like they’ve forgotten she was already dating Alexander back then. Remember how many
of them asked you out first?”
“Ruby!” I laughed despite myself. “Are you actually enjoying this?”
“I’m just saying, it’s pretty twisted how quickly people forget which Taylor sister was actually the catch back in college.”
A sudden hush fell over the room. Victoria made her grand entrance flanked by Anna and Sophie. She wore a stunning red dress that practically screamed ‘look at me.‘
Kristina hurried forward to greet her. “Victoria! So glad you could make it! It’s been ages!”
“Too long, class prez, Victoria smiled. “Couldn’t miss this one.”
“I was worried you might not come,” Kristina admitted. “Just you today? I thought perhaps…”
Anna cut in with a dramatic eye–roll. “Hello? We’re right here, Kristina.”
“That’s not what I meant,” Kristina laughed. “I heard you got engaged. Thought you might bring your fiancé along!”
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Victoria’s eyes scanned the room until they locked with mine in the corner. Something predatory flashed across her features,
“Actually,” she announced loudly, reaching into her designer clutch,
have something for everyone.”
She produced a stack of elegant golden envelopes, which she began distributing throughout the room.
“I’m delighted to invite you all to my wedding to Alexander Stark next month,” she proclaimed. “It’s going to be the event of the season, and I couldn’t possibly celebrate without my dear Columbia classmates!”
The room erupted in congratulations.
Victoria worked the room until she finally reached our corner. Her smile never faltered, but her eyes hardened when they met mine.
“Summer! You came!” Victoria’s voice dripped with false warmth.
“Surprised?” I replied evenly. “I’m just a normal person
–
of course I come. Though I’m surprised to see you here, Hollywood star and all. Didn’t think you’d have time for something so… ordinary.”
“Don’t be silly,” Victoria laughed. “We’re all classmates! I wouldn’t miss our annual reunion for the world.”
She extended three golden envelopes toward us. “My wedding invitations. You’re all coming, of course.”
Ruby and Scarlett accepted theirs with tight smiles. Victoria held mine out last, her perfectly manicured fingers lingering on the envelope.
“You especially, Summer,” she emphasized, her eyes glittering with challenge. “My dear sister. I absolutely insist you
