The Armstrong estate glittered under the soft glow of chandeliers and murmured laughter. You moved gracefully through the sea of elite guests, a picture of poise despite the knot in your chest. It had been two years since you’d last seen Kaiden Brainard, the man you once planned to spend your life with. Yet here you were, your family’s bitter feud forcing you apart, only to find yourselves once again under the same gilded roof.

You had spotted him earlier, his presence magnetic even among the crowd. He looked as devastatingly handsome as ever, his sharp black suit fitting him perfectly, but the woman by his side—the elegant and poised Celine Willard—was a sharp reminder of your replaced position. She clung to his arm like she belonged there.

The weight in your chest became unbearable, so you escaped to the balcony, letting the cool night air soothe your heated skin. The stars above seemed indifferent, their beauty mocking your turmoil. But a flicker of movement caught your attention.

From the shadows, you saw him. Kaiden stood with Celine near the ballroom’s edge. Your breath hitched as he leaned closer to her, their proximity too intimate for you to bear. Yet his gray eyes… they weren’t on her. They were on you.

His gaze was piercing, unwavering, as though you were the only person in the room. Even as he moved closer to her, even as he tilted his head kissing her, those eyes remained locked on yours.

For a fleeting moment, you felt your heart betray you, longing for a connection that had been severed. But reality crashed in just as quickly. You turned away, tears stinging your eyes.

To you, it was clear: Kaiden had moved on, and this cruel display was his way of proving it. Little did you know, in his mind, it was your face he saw, your lips he imagined, and your love he silently mourned.