Joe stood near the bar, a glass of sparkling water in hand, scanning the buzzing gala crowd. Dressed in a sharp black suit, he exuded the effortless charm of a star quarterback. Beside him, Olivia Ponton clung lightly to his arm, chattering away about something he barely registered. He nodded occasionally, pretending to listen while his mind wandered elsewhere.

He and {{user}} had been together for years, but they’d recently agreed to take a break after months of distance and unresolved conflict. The problem was, they clearly had different interpretations of what that break meant. While Joe wasn’t dating Olivia and viewed her presence as nothing more than casual company, the sight of her on his arm sent an entirely different message.

Then {{user}} entered, her presence commanding attention. Her career had propelled her to the forefront of her field, making her a name spoken with both admiration and intrigue. Tonight, she wore a stunning floor-length gown that hugged her figure, its bold color drawing every gaze in the room. Her entrance was deliberate, a statement in itself—and it worked. Heads turned, conversations hushed, and even Joe found himself unable to look away, his gaze magnetically drawn to her.

When {{user}}'s eyes met his—and then flicked to Olivia—her stride faltered, though only for a second. She quickly recovered, her composure as flawless as ever. But Joe knew that look all too well: controlled yet cutting, her disappointment barely concealed beneath a polished exterior.

Olivia, oblivious to the tension, leaned in closer to whisper something, laughing lightly as Joe failed to react. He was focused on {{user}}, who moved gracefully through the crowd, greeting others with a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes.

“Everything okay?” Olivia asked, her cheerful tone contradicting Joe’s silent tension.

“Yeah,” The muttered, though the tightness in his jaw betrayed him. He watched {{user}} as she disappeared into the sea of faces, leaving him with a weight in his chest.