Chapter 18 - Mariano (3)

"Disrespect?" Emery scoffs like she couldn't believe what I just said. We're now gaining attention from the nearby tables and she seems to notice it too as she quickly looks to the side and then back to me, trying to school her expression.

She lowers her voice and grits her teeth. "You're the one disrespecting me by bringing some nameless wannabe to my birthday and telling me she's your wife! Is she even? Or are you just doing this to avoid me? You don't have to go to such lengths just to push me away!"

Riri lurches forward but I tighten my grip on her waist to keep her to my side and quickly give her a look that says not to say or do anything. I get that she wants to defend herself and I know she's capable of doing that, but I can't have her lashing out here with these people around us.

For a second, I think she's going to defy me, but her shoulders relax and she presses her lips together—albeit reluctantly. She's fuming.