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 almost

to

hesitating for a moment. Unable to bear the thought of his pride being trampled in front of everyone, I finally relented.

to the center

my waist, and I rested mine on his shoulder. The closeness of the

almost as if time had

under a sky full of stars. Memories rushed back, bittersweet and painful. "Evelyn, how have you been

smiled, though it was tinged with sadness. "Very well. The company is thriving, and my

in silence Those eyes, once so captivating, now seemed worn and weathered. I forced myself to look away, afraid I might drown in that ocean of emotion.

long silence, he sighed. "Evelyn, I'm

heart skipped a beat. "Why are you apologizing? Didn't we

bitter smile. "We'll never truly be apart. No

a moment, my vision

late..." I choked, barely able to speak. "We

he pulled me into his arms, his lips crashing against mine.

filled the air, and the sounds of

on anything else. All I could feel was the bitter taste of alcohol on his lips and the overwhelming, suffocating emotion