A Baby for the Snow Beast

Chapter 2: Snow Blind

SHANA

Rage hits first, blinding in its intensity. My best friend sits there, wearing my mother's bracelet, while getting eaten out by my fiancé! Of all the ballsy and horrible things to do, this one takes the cake.

Our eyes lock, and the rage disappears, shock and betrayal replacing it.

Vinnie is saying something, but I'm not listening. I'm watching as the surprise on Monica's face turns to something else.

Something heartbreaking.

Her eyes flash with victory, and her lips curl into a smirk.

She's—she's happy I discovered her.

My heart breaks off another piece. One belonged to Vinnie, the other to her. My...family.

If this is what family is like, maybe it's better to be alone.

I tear my eyes away and watch Vinnie scrambling to his feet. He wipes his mouth with the sleeve of his rented dress shirt, and a wild laugh escapes me.

He won't get his deposit back. Sex stains probably render the garment unrentable. I briefly wonder about the lawyer who had to address stains like that in the contract. Poor guy.

Vinnie's mouth is still moving, but the roaring in my ears makes it sound like he's underwater. His eyes are wide and imploring. I step away from the hand he reaches out before he can touch my dress. Unlike his cheap tux, I bought this dress, and I'll be damned if it gets Monica juice on it.

Monica's smile widens. "You always got everything you wanted." Her gaze flicks to Vinnie. "But not him. You never had all of him."

Vinnie's brow furrows, his expression confused as their eyes meet.

Never had...

"How long?" My voice is hoarse from the screams I struggle to keep in.

Vinnie steps forward. "Shana."

"Months," Monica says cheerfully. "You won't give him what he needs, so I did."

She steps toward Vinnie, her fingers reaching up to run through his mussed hair. To his credit, he steps away, giving her an odd look.

"You got all that money, and you never once offered any of it to me. You got that house and Vinnie." Her cheeks redden with anger. "Everything," she hissed. "You hoarded everything for yourself, and you wouldn't even help Vinnie with his business."

My jaw drops. "That's an inheritance!" I snap.

"So what? It doesn't matter."

Vinnie stares at Monica like she's grown two heads.

My hand creeps up to my breaking heart. "My parents are dead!" The shriek is harsh and high. "I'd gladly give every penny of it back to have them here with me!"

Although, I would never want them to see this. Their hearts would break, too.

Monica snorts dismissively.

"We were just having fun," Vinnie says quietly. He shakes his head, surprised at the glee on Monica's face.

A harsh laugh escapes her. "You're always just having fun, Vinnie. Do you know what you and I could have done with that money?"

He blinks, his brow furrowed. "Shana, I'm sorry. I—that's all I can say." Vinnie steps forward, his hands reaching out. "We can still make this work." His eyes flick to the door. "No one but us knows. We can still get married and work this out."

I stare at him in disbelief.

Suppressing the gag threatening to overwhelm me, I take a step back, my attention wavering between them. "You deserve each other." The words flow out of me like water. "I wondered about you, Monica. There was always something...vicious about you. I thought I was lucky that you didn't direct it toward me, but you did, didn't you? One word, each with a tiny barb of poison, lobbed in my direction, undermining me every step of the way." A breath escapes me. "I'm ashamed of you."