After Scarlett spoke, Jeremy's expression darkened — the first warning sign of real anger.

Kaia leaned in, her voice a soft, practiced lure. "Jeremy."

He didn't answer. He glanced down and brushed at the wine stain on his lapel, unhurried, deliberate. Ten seconds, maybe. Then he turned and walked out of the ballroom without a word.

The whispers closed in behind him.

"She's the mother of his kid — and he just let it ...