Chapter 9 The Chat Feed blew up: [Holy crap, V-bitch's gaslighting is Olympic level!] [Shay, HELLO?? Didn't you swear you had nothing with her?!] [Explain that proposal to V-bitch right now! Ley's been misunderstanding you this whole time!] Shayne just kept staring, unblinking. I met his eyes and smiled. "Shayne." I lifted my phone, waving it slow. "Does it matter if I was there or not? Or is it that even when you're proposing to someone else, you still want me in the audience?" I tilted my head. "Oh, right-you said I was the only one you ever loved. What happened, change your mind already?" His face drained to chalk. Vanessa shrieked, "What nonsense! Shayne's so over you!" I didn't spare her a glance. My eyes stayed locked on him. "You know, for a second I actually felt sad for us. But now? You just make me sick." I turned and walked. Behind me-glass shattered, sharp as lightning, followed by Shayne's guttural roar: "Get out! Vanessa, get the hell out!" The Chat Feed wailed: [It's over. Shay's completely broken ] [Ley's heart is ice... poor Shay loves her too much...] *** Back home, I'd barely shut the door before fists started pounding. "Leyla! I know you're in there!" Vanessa's shriek cut through the wood. "Why are you such a bitch? Can't stand to see me happy?" I exhaled hard, too drained to deal, and headed for a glass of water. Her voice just got louder, sharper. "Leyla, you dumped Shayne already! Why won't you let us be? Are you so jealous of my happiness you won't rest until I'm ruined?" The glass slammed against the counter. 1/2 Chopter 9 The Chat Feed went nuts: [V-bitch's fully unhinged. Who pulls up to someone's door just to rage?] [Don't give her attention, Ley! The more clout she gets, the more feral she gets!] I pulled out my phone and called Shayne. He picked up instantly, voice tight with shock and relief. "Leyla? You-" "Shayne." My tone was ice. "Come deal with your woman, or I'm calling the cops." A beat of silence, then frantic footsteps. "Wait. Five minutes." +30 Bonus I hung up. Outside, Vanessa was still screeching, "Leyla Landon! Stop pretending you're so high and mighty! You think you-" Bang! I swung the door open, face blank. She froze mid-scream, eyes wide like she'd seen a ghost. "Done yet?" My voice was flat. Her mouth opened, but the elevator dinged. Shayne came stumbling out, disheveled, sweat dripping down his temple. The second his eyes landed on her, his face went storm-dark. "Vanessa! What the hell are you doing here?!" Her whole vibe flipped, face crumpling as she threw herself at him. "Shayne, Leyla bullied me! She-" "Enough!" He shoved her off, brows twisted in disgust. "Are you out of your mind? Showing up to harass someone at their door?" She staggered back, staring at him like her world cracked. "Y-You're yelling at me? For HER?" I leaned against the doorframe, arms folded, and let out a cold laugh. "If you two want to rehearse a soap opera, do it somewhere else. Not my doorstep." Vanessa's head whipped toward me, eyes blazing. "It's you! You're the reason Shayne can't let go! If it weren't for you, we'd already be married!"