Chapter 32 Desperation #2
She looked happy.
Genuinely happy.
And Vincent hated it.
The jealousy that had been simmering inside him all evening finally exploded into pure fury.
A short while later, Juliet quietly excused herself and headed toward the ladies' restroom.
Vincent watched her disappear through the ballroom doors.
Without a word, he handed the broken glass to a stunned waiter and strode after her.
The moment Juliet stepped out of the restroom several minutes later, she froze.
Vincent was standing in the otherwise empty hallway, his broad shoulders rigid, his expression dark.
"What are you doing here?" she asked immediately, frowning.
Instead of answering, Vincent took several long strides toward her.
Juliet instinctively stepped backward.
"Vincent—"
Before she could finish speaking, he caught her wrist.
"Let go of me."
"Not until we talk."
"I have nothing to say to you."
Juliet tried to pull free, but Vincent's grip only tightened.
Frustration flashed across her face.
"Vincent, let go."
Ignoring her protests, he pushed open the door to a nearby private lounge and guided her inside.
The moment the door closed behind them, Juliet jerked her hand free and turned to glare at him.
"Have you lost your mind?"
Vincent took another step toward her.
Juliet immediately retreated.
Step by step, he advanced while she moved backward until her shoulders suddenly hit the wall behind her.
Before she could move away, Vincent planted both hands against the wall on either side of her, trapping her between his arms.
"Move," Juliet snapped.
"No."
Juliet's anger immediately flared.
"What exactly is your problem?"
"My problem?" Vincent repeated, a humorless laugh escaping him. "My problem is seeing you throw yourself at another man in front of everyone."
Juliet stared at him in disbelief.
"Excuse me?"
"You heard me," Vincent said through clenched teeth. "Publicly kissing him. Letting him touch you. Acting like you're already his wife."
Juliet's eyes widened.
Then she laughed.
It wasn't amused.
It was furious.
"You don't get to question me anymore."
"Juliet—"
"No!" she snapped, shoving hard against his chest.
Vincent barely moved. He simply stared down at her, his chest rising and falling heavily.
"You said you only got engaged to me because your parents wanted it. You said you never loved me."
His jaw tightened.
"You made it very clear that I meant nothing to you, so why exactly are you angry now?" she demanded, her voice trembling with anger. "Shouldn't you be relieved? Isn't this what you wanted?" A bitter laugh escaped her as she shook her head. "I'm finally out of your life."
"That's not what I meant."
"Really?" Juliet shot back immediately. "Because it sounded pretty clear to me."
Silence fell between them.
Vincent looked away first.
He took several harsh breaths, visibly trying to calm himself. One hand came up to rake roughly through his hair before he scrubbed a hand over his face in frustration.
When he looked back at her, his expression had softened slightly, but the anger simmering beneath the surface hadn't disappeared.
"Juliet, we've known each other since we were children," he said, his voice low and strained. "We've spent practically our entire lives together."
He took a slow step toward her.
Juliet immediately stepped back.
The movement caused pain to flash briefly across Vincent's face.
"You know me better than anyone," he continued, trying to keep his tone even. "You know I say things I don't mean when I'm drunk."
He exhaled sharply, clearly struggling to put his thoughts into words.
"I was just too drunk that day. I shouldn't have said those things."
Juliet crossed her arms over her chest, putting another barrier between them.
"But you did say them."
Vincent clenched his jaw.
"Because I was angry."
"And that somehow makes it better?"
"It means I didn't mean them!" he snapped.
The words came out louder and harsher than he intended.
Seeing Juliet flinch, Vincent immediately closed his eyes for a brief moment and turned away, visibly forcing himself to calm down again.
When he spoke this time, his voice was lower, though the tension in it remained obvious.
"Juliet..." He dragged a hand through his hair again before looking back at her. "We've been friends for so long. After all these years, you should know me well enough to understand what I'm trying to say."
He took another step toward her.
"There will never be anyone better for you than me."
Juliet stared at him for several long seconds.
Then she slowly shook her head.
"You're wrong."
Vincent stilled.
"There already is."
The quiet certainty in her voice struck him harder than any scream could have.
Juliet lifted her chin.
"Cassian treats me better than you ever did."
Vincent's expression darkened instantly.
"You're just angry with me," he said, shaking his head as though refusing to accept her words. "You're confused. You're rebounding because you're hurt."
"No, Vincent." Juliet's eyes hardened. "For the first time in years, I think I'm finally seeing things clearly."
"Stop saying things you don't mean."
"I mean every word."
"No, you don't."
Juliet gave him a cold look.
"You don't get to tell me what I feel anymore."
Vincent stared at her, breathing heavily.
For years, Juliet had always looked at him with warmth, affection, devotion.
Now there was nothing.
Nothing except distance.
Panic began clawing at his chest.
Without thinking, he reached forward and grabbed her arms.
Juliet immediately struggled.
"Let go of me."
"Juliet, just listen to me."
"I said let go!"
"You don't love him," Vincent said, tightening his grip unconsciously. "You're just angry at me."
Juliet looked at him as though he were a stranger.
“Fuck you, you narcissistic asshole!”
The words shattered the last of Vincent's restraint.
Before Juliet could react, he suddenly grabbed her by the waist and yanked her hard against his chest. One hand came up to cup the back of her neck, holding her in place as he lowered his head and tried to force a kiss on her.
Juliet's eyes widened in horror.
She immediately turned her face away and pushed against his chest with both hands, struggling to break free.
"Vincent, stop!"
Bang!
The lounge door flew open with such force that it slammed violently against the wall.
Both of them turned.
Cassian stood in the doorway. His usually immaculate suit was slightly disheveled, and his chest rose and fell rapidly as though he had rushed here. The second his eyes landed on Vincent's hands gripping Juliet, every trace of warmth disappeared from his face.
The air in the room instantly turned icy.
"Take your hands off her."