Still Breathing

Chapter 10: The Scientists

Marley POV Present day. 2022

Stephen Strange Gala

"Here." Stephen shoves a glass of champagne at me. I almost spill it, considering I wasn't paying attention and we're in a moving car. We are in a stretch limo to be exact. Courtesy of James Barnes senior

"Drink it now." Stephen says. I drink it without tasting it. He refills it and says again. I swallow it again. And then again. By the time we arrive, I'm already tipsy. I'm sure that was his goal. He tells me before we get out, "Don't embarrass me."

I nod. When, we Enter the ballroom, All eyes are on me. I am dressed in a red dress that clings to my body. The V-neck is very deep. It goes all the way down and almost exposes my belly button. The dress is also backless With thin straps. The dress is short with two slits on the sides that travel high up my thighs exposing my hips. I was instructed not to wear underwear tonight.

As we walk in, the women turned their faces up at me. And the men are salivating. Stephen guides me in with one hand low on my back As he greets his colleagues and guests. They congratulate him on opening his private practice. But their eyes are glued to my body. As we make our rounds around the room. Stephen hands me a drink. And then another. I'm not sure, but I think it might be bourbon. I never was a big drinker. My head is beginning to swing. I excuse myself to go to the restroom and Stephen grabs my arm a little too roughly and says." Don't wander off." Then to keep up pretenses, he kisses me on the temple.

I feel eyes boring into me. As I walked to the bathroom. I Ignore the stares and I tell myself only a few more feet before I can escape the judgment and prying eyes of the people around me. I glanced around the room, And I stumble as a pair of familiar eyes locks onto mine. I try not to stare back. My walk slows. And I tell myself, it can't be. It's just the drink. It's wishful thinking. A peek over my shoulder as I continue to walk and there he is. Looking devastatingly beautiful. My heart begins to race, and I can feel myself start to tremble. A turn and look to see how much farther before I reach my refuge. Just a few more feet. But I've stopped walking. It seems my legs have stopped working. Why did I stop? I fidget from 1 foot to the other. And I take a deep breath. I turn to make sure it is him.

There he is. Still watching me and smiling at me, and there's so much there to unpack in that smile and in that look, he's giving me. I fidget with my purse and I take in everything around me. I see Nat and Sharon. A very pregnant Sharon mind you. I try to smile when I want to cry. they both wave at me.

Then I see Steve and Sam. They also smile and wave. Then my eyes travels back to Bucky. I take one step towards them. But Mr. Barnes steps in front of me. And he hands me a drink and says, "I wouldn't do that."

I released the breath I didn't know I was holding, and I looked up at him. He Smiles and says, "You look beautiful."

I frown at him and He just laughs quietly into his glass.

he says "are you enjoying your husband's celebration? You know, I did all of this for you. His eyes look over at Bucky and then back at me."

"You are so cruel. Why are you doing this? I did what you wanted. I let him go. I'm marrying Stephen. So why?"

He frowns at me. The look in his eyes is filled with disgust. "My dear. This was never about you letting go. I knew you would. You are just like your mother." There is so much venom in that last word.

" You have no regard for anyone else's feelings." He grins so sadistically as He continues, "This is about my son. He must let go of you. Trust me. I can understand the appeal. I understand why it can be hard for him." he takes a sip of his drink and says, " but must be the one to let go of you. He has to move on."