Tris


    The entire restaurant seems to hold its breath as Veronica ys. Even the waitstaff have paused, trays bnced on their palms, just to listen.


    It''s beautiful. Haunting and melodic, like a beautiful voice on the wind. I''ve always known Veronica''s music, have even attended some of her shows, but hearing her up close like this...


    It''s unlike anything I''ve heard before.


    So why is it making me uneasy?


    I nce around the room, noting the rapt expressions on everyone''s faces. Not a single soul in the room is looking away from her. It''s just like the exhibition all over again.


    I hate that I''m thinking it, but... this party-my party, meant to celebrate my exhibition, my residency, my aplishments-now revolves around Veronica. Again.


    A twinge of something ufortable stirs in my chest. It''s not quite jealousy... or at least, I don''t want to admit that it might be. It''s moreplex than that. Part of me is just as starstruck as everyone else-Veronica is undeniably talented.


    But another part can''t help but notice how easily shemands attention, how quickly the focus shifts to her whenever she enters a room.


    Can it really be coincidental, the way she always seems to find a way to steal the spotlight? Or am I just being a paranoid, jealous wreck?


    I immediately curse myself inwardly. I''m being ridiculous, and I don''t like this envious side of myself. I should be lifting other women up, celebrating them, not feeling angry. And she''s ying for me... Right?


    When the final notes fade into silence, the room immediately erupts into apuse. Veronica stands, taking a bow, her red dress catching the light as she moves. Her smile is radiant and genuine as she acknowledges the praise.


    The band strikes up again afterward, but the spell isn''t quite broken. Conversations throughout the room now center on Veronica''s performance.


    "That was incredible," Brian says beside me, still pping "I knew she was a prodigy, but that..."


    "Was unreal," Liam finishes. He''s got tears in his eyes.


    Tears.


    "Yeah," I admit, forcing a smile. "She''s amazing."


    I excuse myself to get a drink, needing a moment to collect my thoughts. At the


    bar, I order a g.. and tonic, needing something strong. I''m being ridiculous. It''s not


    apetition. I should be happy that my guests are enjoying themselves, and that another woman is sessful What the hell is wrong with me?


    "Iris.


    I turn to find Veronica beside me, her perfectly manicured hand reaching for a ss of champagne from a passin waiter. Up close, her beauty tonight is even more intimidating-wless skin, impossibly longshes, her lips painted the exact shade of red as her dress.


    "That was beautiful," I say with a small smile. "Thank you for ying tonight. Everyone loved it."


    "Thank you." Her smile widens. "I hope you don''t mind that Imandeered


    the no for a moment. I wanted to offer a tribute to your sess."


    □□


    "Of course not. It was a lovely surprise."


    Her eyes meet mine, and there''s something in them that makes me uneasy-a predatory glint that contrasts with her serene smile. But I blink, and it''s gone. I must have imagined it, right? It must just be another side effect of my jealousy, and I quickly squash it, not wanting to feed into the stereotype of a woman who can''t stand another woman''s sess.


    Veronica clears her throat. "I''m d you enjoyed it. Tell me what are your ns now that your residency is over?"


    I take a sip of my drink before answering. "I''m focusing on the arts education initiative for now, and of course, moving back in with Arthur and Miles next week."


    "Hmm.” She twirls the stem of her champagne ss between her fingers. "That''s a good start, but you''ll need to do more. You must maintain momentum, Iris, otherwise people are going to grow bored of you."


    Her words catch me off guard. "What do you mean?"


    19


    "The public is fickle," she exins. "Today they adore you tomorrow they''re on to the next shiny thing. For all you know, they might find another woman to try and inject into your rtionship."


    My stomach tightens. "I''m not sure what you''re getting at


    "I''m just saying that the narrative around the Alpha President and his Luna needs to stay interesting, fresh," she says, her red lips curving slightly. "The star-crossed lovers reunited ispelling now, but what happens when that story gets old? People will start to wonder if there might be a better match out there for him.”


    Each word feels like a tiny dart in my chest, as if she''s intentionally aiming for the one thing that hurts the most.


    I try to maintain a neutral expression, but inside, I''m reeling. The thought of Arthur being paired with another woman in the public eye-of having to watch from the sidelines as someone else stands by his side again-is unbearable. Not after I spent five years missing him, heartbroken and lonely.