LOGINI give a small nod and start walking toward the balcony doors, my heels clicking softly. The silk gown flows around my legs with each step, cool and elegant despite everything. Just before I reach for the ornate handle, Dante speaks again, his voice calm and even, directed at my back. “Mrs. Hart.” I pause, hand hovering. “You’ve spent the entire evening worrying about what everyone else thinks.” His words cut through the night air with quiet precision. “Stop giving people who don’t respect you that much power.” I don’t turn around immediately. The statement sinks in, stirring something deep and uncomfortable in my chest. The whispers inside, Sophia’s jests about my inability to conceive, Ethan’s public control….it all feels heavier when named so plainly. I’m not ready to fully unpack it yet, not tonight. I simply nod once, the movement small but deliberate, and push open the door. Stepping back into the ballroom is like crossing into another world. Warm air rushes over me, thick
The atmosphere shifts instantly, thickening with unspoken family dynamics and the weight of what just happened inside.Ethan breaks the silence first. He forces a smile, polite and controlled, addressing his uncle. “Uncle.”Dante gives a single nod. Nothing more, no smile or extended greeting. Just that minimal acknowledgment that somehow makes the air feel even heavier. Ethan’s smile doesn’t reach his eyes as he turns to me.“I’ve been looking for you.”I fold my arms across my chest, the cool silk of my gown brushing my skin, and meet his gaze steadily. “You found me.”“I think we’ve both had enough excitement for one evening.” His voice is smooth, the kind he uses when he’s trying to steer a conversation back under his control. He takes a measured step closer, the lantern light catching on the expensive fabric of his suit.“No,” I reply evenly, my tone calm despite the anger still simmering under my skin. “You’ve had enough. I’m just getting started.”He ignores the jab comple
I clear my throat, trying to recover what little dignity I have left. “What are you doing here?” The second the words leave my mouth, I cringe. Brilliant. Questioning the owner of the estate about why he’s at his own family banquet. Dante arches one dark eyebrow. “I live here.” “…Right.” Heat creeps up my neck. “That was a stupid question.” “A little.” His lips twitch and I narrow my eyes. “Are you making fun of me?” “I’m thinking about it.” I huff. “Glad I’m entertaining someone tonight.” His gaze drops briefly to the empty champagne flute in my hand.“One glass?” “What?” “You’ve only had one.” I blink. “…Yes.” “It won’t help.” I stare at him. “Excuse me?” He nods toward the ballroom behind us. “Whatever you’re trying to forget.” His voice remains calm. “One glass won’t be enough.” For a moment…I don’t know what to say. He already knows I’m not out here enjoying the view. I’m hiding.I force myself to look away.“It’s not that dramatic.”“No?”His voice
I don’t wait to hear another word. If I stay another second, I’ll either scream…Or slap him. Maybe both. I spin on my heel and walk away. “Amelia.” Ethan’s voice follows me immediately. I don’t stop. “Amelia, wait.” His footsteps echo behind me fast trying to Close the distance. I whirl around so suddenly that he nearly walks straight into me. The ballroom continues buzzing around us, blissfully unaware of the storm brewing between us. I meet his eyes coldly. “If you take one more step after me…” My voice is quiet, quiet enough that only he can hear. “…I swear to God, Ethan, I’ll make a scene your family will never forget.” He freezes. Good. “You seem very concerned about your family’s reputation.” I hold his gaze. “Don’t test me.” For a long moment, neither of us moves. His jaw flexes, mine does too. Finally, he exhales through his nose. I take that as my cue to leave, I turn without another word and weave through the crowd. Conversations blur into meaningless no
The moment we step through the grand entrance of the Wolfe estate, I want to leave. The place is dazzling. Crystal chandeliers spill warm light across polished marble floors that reflect everything like dark mirrors. A string quartet plays softly from the balcony overhead, the notes drifting down like they belong to another, happier world. Impeccably dressed guests drift through the ballroom with champagne flutes in hand, their laughter low and polished. Every corner screams wealth, prestige, perfection….towering floral arrangements heavy with white roses and orchids, waiters gliding by in crisp tuxedos, the faint scent of expensive perfume and aged whiskey hanging in the air. I feel none of it. My silk gown clings to my skin, cool and expensive, but it suddenly feels like a costume. Ethan’s hand settles lightly against the small of my back, warm and possessive through the thin fabric. He guides me forward without asking. “Come on,” he says quietly, his voice low near my ear.
The silence inside the car is unbearable, not the comfortable kind. Not the kind that exists between people who know each other so well that words become unnecessary. No. This silence is almost Painful. Heavy with everything we aren't saying. I sit rigidly in the passenger seat, staring out the window as the city lights blur past us. The soft hum of the engine fills the otherwise quiet car. Beside me, Ethan grips the steering wheel a little too tightly. I notice because I know him or at least, I used to. The veins in his hands stand out prominently against his skin, his jaw is locked and his shoulders are tense. He glances at me every few minutes but Ipretend not to notice. Outside, evening settles over the city, people crowd the sidewalks, couples walk hand in hand, friends laugh as they spill out of restaurants. Normal people, living normal lives. I wonder what that feels like. The thought makes me want to laugh or cry. Possibly both. I turn my attention back
Ethan notices the change in my expression. His jaw tightens. “Amelia.” I look away, towards the window anywhere but him. Because looking at him is dangerous, looking at him makes me remember too many good things and the good things are what make leaving so difficult. The room falls silent, t
The warmth inside the car is finally reaching my frozen skin. Unfortunately, now that I’m no longer distracted, I become aware of something else.A pounding ache behind my eyes, I press my fingers against my temple.The movement doesn’t escape Dante.“You’re sick.”I shake my head.“I’m fine.”The
The moment everyone realized Ethan wasn't coming back, the atmosphere changed again. This time for the worse, because without him sitting beside me... I was alone, completely alone and the Walker family knew it. Aunt Margaret was the first to speak. She watched the ballroom entrance for a few se
The ballroom remained quiet for a few seconds after Dante Wolfe’s words.“To brilliance.”The champagne glass in his hand caught the light as he raised it slightly toward me.Around us, whispers immediately erupted.I could practically hear them spreading through the room.“Dante Wolfe knows about







