Rewriting My Heart's Fate

Feeling the envious stares of everyone around me, I couldn't help but smile faintly, a touch of grace in my expression.

Finally, at this stage of high society, I was no longer the nameless girl who could only look up to others. I had my own identity now, and I was a force to be reckoned with.

As my eyes drifted past Rowan's shoulder, I caught sight of him-Ethan, leaning against the bar, downing one whiskey after another. He stared at me intently from across the room, his expression unreadable. Several beautiful women approached him, but he ignored them, only focusing on his drink.

His lonely, desolate figure stung my eyes.

As the song ended, Rowan, ever the gentleman, bowed slightly and kissed the back of my hand.

The applause was thunderous, and the room was filled with whistles.

I smiled politely in return, ready to leave with Rowan, but then Ethan, clearly drunk, suddenly strode over to us.

"Ms. Wiley, would you do me the honor of sharing a dance?" He dropped to one knee and gently took my hand.

The room gasped, and camera shutters went off like crazy. This moment would surely be all over tomorrow's tabloids.

I instinctively tried to pull my hand back, but he held it firmly. "Evelyn, please, just one dance."

voice was

need to talk to

bear the thought of his pride being trampled in front of

nodded reluctantly, following him to

hand around my waist, and I rested mine on his shoulder.

played, we slowly swayed, almost as if time had

then, we had danced like this, on the set of Rivaria Holiday, under a sky full of stars. Memories rushed back, bittersweet and painful. "Evelyn, how have you been all these

company is thriving, and my family is in

and

silence, he sighed.

a beat. "Why are you apologizing? Didn't we already sever ties? Haven't we moved

apart. No matter how many years

moment, my vision blurred

too late..." I choked, barely able to speak. "We can never go

could say another word, he pulled me into his arms, his lips crashing

the air, and the sounds of cameras

couldn't focus on anything else. All I could feel was the bitter taste of alcohol on his lips and the overwhelming, suffocating emotion pouring