“Adrian,” I said, “I didn’t make this ugly. You brought ugly into my life when you cheated with my sister and called it ambition.”

His face tightened.

I continued, calm and clear.

“What you’re feeling right now isn’t injustice. It’s the first honest moment you’ve had in years.”

Vanessa muttered, “This is unbelievable.”

“No,” I said, turning to her. “What’s unbelievable is that you still think life is a contest you win by standing next to the shiniest man in the room.”

For a moment, nobody moved.

Then Ethan lightly touched my elbow.