<b>Chapter </b><b>174 </b>


    -MIA’S POV-


    I watched Hunter from across the room like I was nning my next move in a game.


    He stood at the bar, looking dangerous in his expensive ck suit. His hand gripped a whiskey ss so tightly I thought it might break. But he wasn’t looking at his drink or the fancy people around us.


    He was staring at her.


    Celine wasughing at something ncey said.


    The sound carried across the room, bright and happy. Even from here, I could see how her whole face lit up when she smiled.


    She looked beautiful in that navy dress…Hunter probably picked it out for her. He always had good taste.


    Most of the time.


    I grabbed two whiskeys from a waiter and walked over to Hunter.


    He didn’t even notice meing–too busy watching Celine and her friend. His jaw was tight, his shoulders stiff.


    He looked like he was about to explode.


    Perfect.


    “You still drink this, right?” I said quietly, holding out the second ss.


    He took it without looking at me. His eyes stayed glued to Celine and ncey by the windows. Up close, I could see how tense he was.


    His free hand was clenched in a fist.


    “They look good together,” I said, taking a small sip of my drink.


    That got his attention. His head snapped toward me, his blue eyes sharp and angry.


    “Who?”


    “Celine and ncey.” I shrugged like it was no big deal. “I’m sure it’s nothing. But they do seem… close.”


    Hunter didn’t say anything, but I saw his grip tighten on the ss.


    “It’s sweet, really,” I went on, keeping my voice light. “The way he looks at her. Like she’s the only person who matters.” I paused, letting that


    sink in.


    “I guess that’s what happens when someone really knows you. When they knew you before all… this.”


    I waved my hand at the expensive party around us…the fancy dresses, the rich people, the world that Celine was still learning to fit into.


    “Before the money and the mansion and bing the perfect rich man’s girlfriend.” I gave him a sympathetic smile.


    “Sometimes the people who knew us when we were nobody see us best.”


    Hunter’s breathing changed. Shorter. More controlled. Like he was trying not to lose it.


    “She worked so hard to fit into your world,” I said, watching Celine across the room.


    “Learning fancy manners, how to talk to important people. It must be tiring, always having to be perfect. Always putting on a show.”


    Right then, Celine touched ncey’s arm while talking to him. Her hand stayed there a little too long. Hunter wentpletely still


    “But look at her now,” I said softly. “See how happy she looks with him? So rxed, so natural, Like she can finally be herself”


    Theard Hunter’s ss crack–just a tiny sound, but enough. A drop of whiskey ran down his hand.


    “I’m probably making too much of it,” I added quickly, like I felt bad for saying anything. “I tend to overthink things. It’s just…” Het my voice fade, like I wasn’t sure if I should keep talking.


    “Just what?” His voice was rough, barely controlled.


    “I’ve seen this happen before. Sessful men get so busy building their empires, taking care of everything. And meanwhile, someone else is there….someone simpler, more avable….giving the one thing money can’t buy.”


    “Which is?”


    “Understanding. The feeling of being epted exactly as you are. No need to be more or different or better.” I put my ss down on the bar<b>. </b>


    “But I’m sure you don’t have anything to worry about. Celine picked you. She’s having your baby. That has to mean something.”


    The words hung in the air between us.


    I watched Hunter’s face and saw the exact moment my words hit their target.


    “Anyway,” I said, straightening my ck dress, “I should go talk to other people. Caroline did such a nice job with this party.” I started to walk away, then stopped like I just remembered something.


    “Oh, Hunter? You might want to look at that ss. It’s bleeding.”


    I didn’t wait for him to answer. I never had to<i>. </i>


    As I walked away, I could feel the change behind me–the moment when his control finally snapped.


    I didn’t need to look back to know Hunter was no longer staring at his broken ss.


    He was walking across the room, moving like a predator, his whole body radiating barely controlled anger.


    Right on time.


    I found a spot where I could watch what was about to happen. From here, I had a perfect view of the crash I had just caused.


    Celine was stillughing with ncey,pletely unaware of the storm heading her way. She looked so young, so genuinely happy.


    It was almost sad to ruin it.


    Almost.


    But some people had to learn things the hard way.


    And if Celine thought she could enter Hunter’s world and keep her old friends, her simple pleasures, her fantasy that love didn’te with <b>a </b>price….well, she was about to find out differently.


    Hunter reached them just as Celine threw her head backughing again.


    I watched ncey notice him first, saw the recognition and worry cross his face. Then Celine turned, her face bright with joy that died the second she saw Hunter’s expression.


    “Am I interrupting something?” Hunter’s voice cut through the sudden quiet around them, low and cold and dangerous.


    I smiled and took another sip of whiskey, gettingfortable to watch the show.


    After all, I had worked hard to make it happen. <fnf608> Updates are released by f?ndnovel</fnf608>