Who's Crying Now, Ex-Husband?

Chapter 505

She had no idea who the man was.

But one thing was certain-he wasn't Forrest.

Mila's first thought was that he was probably another one of the young men her great-aunt had invited, hoping to set her up. Whoever he was, his presence was unsettling. Without hesitation, she shook her head in refusal.

But as soon as she did, a hand closed tightly around hers.

In the next instant, the stranger yanked her into his arms and swept her straight onto the dance floor, sending a flurry of rose petals skittering across the polished wood.

Mila's eyes went wide in shock.

She could hardly believe someone could be so brazen at a formal ball. Hadn't he seen her refuse? How could her great-aunt possibly think this man was suitable?

Her body responded out of habit, following the first few steps of the waltz so she wouldn't embarrass herself in front of the crowd, but as soon as her mind caught up, she began to struggle. It was useless-the man's grip was unyielding, his strength almost frightening. Gritting her teeth, she hissed in a voice only the two of them could hear:

"Let me go!"

Couldn't he tell she didn't want to dance?

But the man said nothing. His gloved hand settled firmly at her waist, guiding her through the music as if her resistance meant nothing.

Enough was enough. Mila stopped caring whether she made a scene. She slammed her heel down onto his foot and ground it in, her voice icy and low: "Let me go!"

But before she could react, his hand tightened around her waist, and in a sudden, dizzying motion, he lifted her effortlessly off the ground, spinning her through the rest of the dance. Her black chiffon dress fluttered as though she weighed nothing at all he didn't even need her cooperation.

A chill shot through her.

She didn't know why, but a wave of panic crashed over her, a sharp sense of déjà vu that left her breathless. As her body pressed against his, she caught the overwhelming scent of roses in the air-but beneath it, so faint she almost doubted herself, was a trace of cold sandalwood.

Her heart hammered in

Impossible.

no way he

No way.

was rigid against his, ice creeping into

Fear won out.

music seemed to spin farther and farther away, leaving only the ghastly white mask before her-a mask streaked with blood-red tears. The empty, hollow eyes gaped at her like a

She couldn't move.

was slick with

the dance floor before

she couldn't let him take

glanced back at her. Beneath his mask, Mila's

pale, but she forced herself not to look away, staring straight into those abyssal eyeholes, fighting down

Is it you?

Suddenly, he raised her hand, lifted the edge of his mask to reveal a sharp jaw and cool, thin lips, and

kiss as cold and soft as

prickled. That kiss-down to the exact spot-was identical to the one Forrest had given her at the

lost her

Is it you?

up, and plucked the pink-and-white rose from beside her mask. Without another word, he

after him-then froze, rooted to the spot. Just then,

"Mimi?"

ringing in her ears, she heard the gentle

Stunned, she turned.

red tie at his throat, and a black mask edged in gold. The colors were so striking they made her eyes

tie made her

man spoke again, his voice tender, cutting