Chapter 52
RAINA
Another party. Another auction. As much as I had grown used to these events, they drained me. The constant buzz of chatter, the glittering gowns, the sound of laughter ringing hollow–it was exhausting. All I wanted was to be at home, wrapped in a blanket with Ava’s giggles filling the room. But Domínic had insisted we attend, his reasons vague but laced with enough persuasion to convince me.
The venue was as grand as ever–chandeliers that sparkled like diamonds, walls lined with gilded frames, and the unmistakable scent of money in the air. It was the same crowd, too. The high and mighty of society, gathered under the guise of charity, but really just eager for a reason to flaunt their wealth.
From my spot near one of the ornate pillars, I observed the crowd, my champagne glass untouched in my hand. Dominic was chatting animatedly with someone across the room, leaving me with a rare moment of solitude. It wasn’t peaceful, though. My skin prickled, a strange sensation crawling up the back of my neck.
I turned subtly, my eyes scanning the room for the source of my unease. I didn’t have to look far.
There he was–Alex.
He stood near the entrance, his sharp suit tailored to perfection, his piercing gaze scanning the room until it landed on me. I held my ground, refusing to let him see the way my pulse quickened under his scrutiny. His expression was unreadable, but the weight of his stare was suffocating.
A chill ran down my spine.
He stood near the entrance, his sharp suit tailored to perfection, his piercing gaze scanning the room until it landed on me. I held my ground, refusing to let him see the way my pulse quickened under his scrutiny. His expression was unreadable, but the weight of his stare was suffocating. I took a calming breath and looked away, determined not to let him affect me.
But then it happened again.
That same prickling sensation along my skin. The unmistakable feeling of being watched.
This time, it wasn’t Alex.
As inconspicuously as possible, I scanned the room again, the golden glow of chandeliers reflecting off polished marble floors. The hum of laughter and the clinking of glasses seemed distant as searched for the source. It didn’t take long to find it.
Nathan.
He sat a few rows back, partially obscured by a group of older men in dark suits. His posture was relaxed, almost casual, but his eyes were anything but. They were locked on me, intense yet unreadable, as if he were studying me.
The sight of him here caught me off guard. I hadn’t expected to see Nathan at an event like this. Sure, he had an air of confidence that hinted at success, but this crowd? These were the movers and shakers of high society, the kind of people who casually dropped six figures on meaningless baubles at charity auctions. Nathan didn’t seem the type. And yet, here he was, blending in seamlessly, as if this world were as natural to him as breathing.
Richer than I expected.
A part of me was surprised. Another part of me… wasn’t.
didn’t have much time to dwell on it, though, because then I saw her.
Eliza.
My heart leaped into my throat, and the glass in my hand suddenly felt too heavy.
She stood near the back of the room, partially concealed by a column, her posture stiff and predatory. Her eyes, sharp as knives, cut through the crowd until they found me. My stomach twisted as her gaze met mine, a cruel smile tugging at the corners of her
Chapter 52
+25 BONUS
lips.
The memories came rushing back, uninvited and relentless–the terror, the helplessness, the cold malice in her eyes as she loomed over Liam. My hands clenched into fists at my sides, the stem of my champagne glass digging into my palm.
Stay calm, Raina.
I forced myself to look away, to steady my breathing as my chest tightened. She didn’t deserve my fear. Not anymore. But the reminder of what she was capable of was enough to reignite the smoldering embers of dread in my chest.
I needed to talk to Dominic. I needed to confirm that the SD card was safe, that the evidence we’d fought so hard to retrieve was still intact. I wouldn’t–couldn’t–let Eliza win.
But before I could move, Dominic appeared at my side, his easy smile and casual demeanor a stark contrast to the turmoil raging
inside me.
“Who’s that?” he teased, nodding toward Nathan with a mischievous glint in his eye.
I felt my cheeks flush with heat, and I quickly averted my gaze. “No one,” I said hastily, taking a sip of champagne to avoid his
scrutiny.
