From Sweethearts to Strangers: A Tale of Broken Promises novel Chapter 3

That evening, to welcome the new hires, Mr. Anderson organized a team dinner. 

The venue?

A lively BBQ joint with unlimited beer on tap. 

Everyone was gathered around the long wooden tables, flipping steaks and ribs on the sizzling tabletop grills, passing around side dishes, and clinking their drinks together. 

Sophia had just come back from the sauce station, a cup of dipping sauce in her hands. 

She walked perfectly fine down the steps leading to our table. 

But the moment she reached me—on completely flat ground—she suddenly tripped, and the entire cup of sauce went flying straight onto my shirt. 

A few coworkers who witnessed the whole thing exchanged looks, their faces turning sour. 

"Really? What is this, a reality show catfight? That was so obvious." 

Sophia straightened up, brushing nonexistent dust off her outfit like nothing happened. 

"My bad," she said, her tone light and sickeningly sweet.

"Didn't mean to ruin Lucas's little sweetheart's night~" 

Her passive-aggressive smirk made my stomach turn. 

One of the other girls had had enough.

She yanked Sophia by the sleeve, ready to go off. 

"I hate girls like you," she snapped. 

"You knew you were the side chick, so stay in your damn lane!" 

"You really think that whole innocent act still works—" 

Before she could finish, a hand shoved its way between them, pushing her back. 

Lucas. 

He pulled Sophia into his arms like she was some delicate princess, shooting me a furious glare. 

"Emily, when did you become this petty?" 

I stared at him. 

My stained shirt was right there. 

And yet, he acted like it didn't exist. 

The pain and confusion I felt just moments ago?"

"Gone. Replaced by something calmer, sharper. 

"Lucas," I said, my voice flat.

"Are those eyes of yours just for decoration?" 

He froze. 

He had known me for years.

Never once had I spoken to him like this. 

Even when he hurt me, I'd just swallow it, let it slide, wait for him to realize he was wrong and come make it up to me. 

But not this time. 

Sophia clung to his chest, her voice trembling just enough to sound convincing. 

"It's my fault," she murmured.

"She didn't trip me—I just lost my balance and spilled my sauce

"Don't be mad, okay? It's not good for you."

"She's just a little upset, and that's totally normal. I'll apologize to her."