Chapter 22

Cecilia's pov The murmurs rippled through the grand ballroom the second I set foot inside, every eye snapping to me like sharks scenting blood in the water. "She's got some nerve showing her face here…" "Does she actually think she's still Xavier's girlfriend? That's hilarious." "Didn't both packs already announce the engagement? This is social suicide." "Honestly, she's not the villain. Xavier cheated—everyone knows it. How's that her fault?" The gossip rippled through the crowd like waves. I felt their eyes on me—predatory, eager for drama. Most were here to witness my downfall, to see me humiliated. Only a rare few spoke up in my defense, and even they were quickly shut down. Head high, spine straight, I let the rhythm of my Louboutins on the marble drown out the noise. Each step was measured, perfectly controlled—like the mask I wore for these people. When Cici spotted me approaching, her face went ghost-white as though she'd seen a literal ghost. Her porcelain complexion turned as