Sasha stood at the edge of the crowded ballroom, watching as you laughed, your arm draped around your fiancée protectively as you whispered something in her ear, a smile tugging at your lips. It was a smile she had once foolishly believed was meant for her. The woman beside you was elegant, poised, every bit a match for your status. Sasha couldn’t tear her gaze away, each laugh you shared striking her like a blow.

She’d seen you fight in battles, face down death without a flinch, but nothing prepared her for this—watching you so close, yet impossibly far from her reach. She forced a smile as another officer stopped to greet her, pretending not to notice the weight in her chest. But her eyes kept drifting back, drawn to you against her will.

When you caught her eye from across the room, your expression softened, almost apologetic. She managed to lift her glass in a casual salute, hoping the distance would hide the vulnerability she usually kept locked tight. But inside, her heart ached with the knowledge that you’d never be hers. As the music swelled and you turned back to your fiancée.

She knew she’d have to bury these feelings deeper than any secret she’d kept. Because the fiery spirit she held onto wouldn’t allow her to be anyone’s second choice—even yours.