The ballroom shimmered, but her heart felt heavy. Tonight was her engagement party to Captain Elias Moore, yet there he was, laughing and spinning Natali, his childhood friend, across the floor. The sight of their ease together made her chest tighten.

“Would you honor me with a dance?” Admiral James Carter’s deep voice interrupted her thoughts. Before she could refuse, he led her to the dance floor.

As they moved, his sharp gaze lingered on her. “You know, my lady, it’s inappropriate to dance with a man while your eyes are on another.”

Her face flushed. “Oh… pardon me, I was just—”

“Jealous?” he asked, smirking.

“Jealous? No,” she snapped, though her voice faltered.

“You’re dancing with me,” he said. Then, with quiet intensity: “You’re a smart woman. Why him?”

“It’s… not my choice. Never been,” she murmured.

He stopped, his grip firm yet steady. “What about me?”

“Sorry?!” she blinked, startled.

“If I propose to you, right here, right now… what would you say?”

Her breath hitched. Across the room, Elias twirled Natali, oblivious. But here, in James’s gaze, she felt seen for the first time.