The charges weren’t just for plagiarism – she had publicly accused me of being Vincent’s mistress, claiming I’d ruined their relationship.
The trial brought me back to the States. Vincent followed soon after, but with Damian’s security detail shadowing me every step, all Vincent could do was watch from a distance.
Sable showed up in court heavily pregnant, playing the victim card from the start. Her lawyer kept hammering on the fact she was carrying Vincent’s child. The judge delayed a verdict pending further review.
As we exited the courthouse, Sable strutted toward me, wearing a sugary sweet smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. “You just don’t know when to quit, do you, Andrea?”
She sneered. “You gave up your identity. You should’ve stayed buried, living quietly in your hole Why come back now and stir things up, catching Vincent’s attention again?”
She stared at me with pure venom. “He’s been ignoring me and our baby to chase after you. What kind of black magic are you using on him?”
I stared at her coolly. “I left him to you. If you can’t keep him, that’s your problem. Don’t come barking at me like some starved bitch.”
Her fake smile cracked, rage flickering beneath. “Don’t flatter yourself. You think he loves you? He only cares about me and his child. Don’t you see? The second something happens to me, he’ll come running–just like before.”
I stiffened. And before I could process her words, she grabbed my wrist and suddenly flung herself backward, aiming straight for the steps behind her.
Everything happened fast. The bodyguards and Vincent lunged forward. One of his men caught her just before she hit the stairs.
But Vincent? He rushed straight to me, completely ignoring her. His eyes were frantic as he called out, “Andrea! Are you okay?”
–
Sable pulled the same old stunt – but for the first time, Vincent chose me over her. If this had happened back then, I probably would’ve been touched, even moved. But now? I just thought it was pathetic.
Sable’s face twisted with disbelief. “Vincent, what’s wrong with you?! I’m the victim here! And you’re worried about her?!
I simply pointed up at the security cameras. “You sure you want to do this? Accuse me one more time and I won’t hesitate to add intentional assault‘ to the list.”
For once, she was speechless, her face contorted with fury.
Vincent approached her. She quickly shifted back into her pitiful damsel act. “Vincent… finally, you’re looking at me. I’ve missed you so much…
And then–slap. He hit her across the face. Hard.
Sable froze, stunned.
Vincent’s voice was ice cold. “So this is how you’ve been framing Andrea all this time?”
She panicked, shaking her head. “No… Vincent, it wasn’t me! It’s all Andrea! She’s jealous–she
5:39 pm DDD &
did this to me!*
Vincent kept his face completely blank as he cut in coldly, “You do realize there are 360–degree security cameras everywhere, right? You sure you want to stick with that story?”
That shut her up fast. Her lips moved, but no sound came out.
He sneered. “You seriously thought you could play me? That you’re that clever?”
At his signal, the guards grabbed her and started escorting her away.
Before leaving, Vincent turned back to me. “Andrea, I swear, I’ll make her pay for what she had done to you.”
