Darcy didn’t just leave the gala; he stormed out like someone had just served him an undercooked steak at a Michelin-star restaurant. Jaw clenched, shoulders stiff, exuding enough fury to make me break into a sweat just watching him.
I stood frozen for a moment, guilt and something else I couldn’t quite name twisting in my stomach. Before I could even think it through, my feet started moving on their own, my heels clicking against the polished floor as I followed him.
“Darcy!” I called, the chill of the night air hitting me as I stumbled out onto the gravel. My stupid new heels wobbled as I tried to keep pace with his ridiculously long strides. “Wait!”
He stopped, turning sharply to face me. His glare was sharp enough to freeze lava, and for a second, I wondered why I thought this was a good idea.
“What, Miss Hollis?” he snapped, his voice clipped, each word cutting like a knife.
My mouth opened, then closed. Great start. “Look, about what Alex said in there…”
Darcy’s jaw tightened. “What about it?” he interrupted, his tone flat. “He was only saying what he thought you wanted to hear. Isn’t that how you operate with him?”
The words hit like a slap. My eyes widened, my cheeks burning. “Excuse me?”
“You’re letting him turn you into some sort of… accessory,” he bit out, the frustration radiating off him. “I thought you were different, but clearly, I was wrong.”
I blinked, stunned. “That’s not fair! I didn’t know he was going to—”
“Of course you didn’t,” Darcy interrupted, laughing bitterly. “Because you were too busy letting him treat you like some prize to show off.”
My hands curled into fists at my sides, anger bubbling up, but before I could yell at him for being such a pompous ass, his voice softened—just slightly.
“Do you know why I fought to get you that interview with Princess Anna?” he asked, his words slower now, heavier. “Because I thought you were capable of something the press rarely offers her: empathy.”
I stared at him, my heart racing, as he continued.
“Anna doesn’t need another journalist chasing a headline,” he said quietly, though his gaze was anything but soft. “She needs someone who cares. I thought you could be that person.”
Guilt hit me like a freight train.
“I didn’t know Alex would…” I trailed off, my voice faltering.
Darcy shook his head, a muscle ticking in his jaw. “Forget it,” he muttered, taking a step back. “Clearly, I misjudged you.”
Before I could say anything—before I could defend myself, or apologize, or just do something—he turned and walked away, disappearing into the darkness.
I stood there for a moment, the cold seeping into my skin, unsure whether I wanted to scream, cry, or just crawl under a table and hide forever.