Chapter 72

Marissa's face hardened as she saw the brooch. "This trash has no place here!" she snarled, snatching it and flinging it to the floor.

Alexis knew the brooch was just a stand-in. Marissa, always the picture of grace, was unraveling before her eyes. Alexis was speechless.

After a long, tense silence, Marissa finally drew a shaky breath. Her usual calm returned, almost too quickly. "I'm fine," she said, a little too brightly. "Sorry I scared you."

Alexis, though relieved, felt a shift in their dynamic. "Marissa, are you still going to the gala?" The gala was tonight; Alexis had her dress ready, but this… this changed everything.

Hope flickered in Alexis's eyes. Marissa smiled. "Don't worry. I'll be there."

Alexis relaxed, but her concern lingered. "Are you sure you… you can handle—"

Marissa cut her off gently. "I'll be fine." She wouldn't miss this—wouldn't miss a chance to be near Dominick. "Thank you for standing up for me," she added, taking Alexis's hand. "I panicked. I wasn't thinking."

Alexis's doubts melted away. "You're my friend, Marissa. I'd never doubt you."

Whether Marissa's apology was genuine didn't matter. Alexis knew maintaining a good relationship with Marissa, Dominick's companion, was crucial for the Foster family.

Marissa's composure cracked. "But what will everyone think?"

Alexis squeezed her hand. "They'll understand. As long as you're with Dominick, they'll forgive you."

Marissa's eyes held a faint smile, but her thoughts were colder. Keeping them happy is all for show, she mused. Dom's been distant. Sonny ignored me completely.

A knock. Julian stepped in. "Ready, Marissa?"

"Yes," she said, leaning on Alexis for support.

Facing Julian's calm gaze, Marissa forced a smile. "I don't know what came over me. Please believe me, it wasn't intentional—"

"I understand," Julian interrupted, patting her shoulder. "I know what you're like."

He paused, his thoughts turning to Paisley, the scheming ex-wife, and the opportunistic Sullivans. They know Paisley's back. They're playing dumb!

Julian had been Marissa's classmate. He knew her kindness, her quiet endurance of Paisley's cruelty. He knew Marissa had waited for Dominick, only for Paisley to reappear and disrupt everything. Marissa's outburst, he believed, was a reaction to Paisley's manipulations.

"I'll help you explain to Dominick," Julian reassured her. "He knows you're not cruel."

Marissa murmured, her gaze down, hiding the cold glint in her eyes.