288 Vouchers


    <b>Chapter </b>25


    Geting ready for Sophia’s main birthday party felt like prepping for a red carpet event.


    I sat before a massive vanity mirror in our suite at the Le Tonne Hotel. A luxury hotel so pricey, a single night could empty your bank ount. Everything was velvet and gold, and the whole ce smelled like rose water and old money.


    Sophia’s m team moved with the precision of stylists and the energy of fairy godparents high on espresso. One curled my hair into glossy waves, another dusted gold shimmer on my eyelids, and thest one worked on contouring cheekbones I didn’t even know I had.


    “You’re going to murder someone tonight,” Sophia said, lounging in her robe behind me while scrolling through her phone. “Just wait till Liam sees you.”


    I rolled my eyes. “That’s not the goal.”


    “Maybe not yours,” she replied, eyes still on the phone. “But mine? Absolutely.”


    Words hovered on the tip of my tongue, but the mirror stole them. One look at my reflection, and I went quiet.


    The dress was a showstopper. Jaw–dropping. Dangerous. Lethal.


    Silky ck, off–shoulder, hugging every inch of me like it had been stitched on my body. A thigh–high slit danced dangerously with every breath, paired with strappy heels and a delicate diamond ne Sophia insisted I borrow.


    “Oof. Someone’s out for blood tonight,” Jay said as he popped into the room. “Solid <i>10/10</i>.”


    I smiled. “Careful. I might get used to all this ttery.”


    0.00<b>% </b>


    <b>08:32 </b>


    288 (Vouchers


    “Ready to party?” he asked.


    “Born for it,” Sophia replied, standing with dramatic ir. <fnb79e> Read full story at find{n}ovel</fnb79e>


    We descended to the grand ballroom, where the event was already pulsing with life. Chandeliers sparkled over a sea of designers, influencers, executives, and the kind of celebrities you only ever see in filtered Instagram posts. The air buzzed with champagne and expensive perfume. A jazz band yed in the background.


    It wasvish but intimate. A perfect blend of cozy and extravagant.


    The moment Sophia entered the venue, the lights dimmed and the crowd burst into song. “Happy Birthday” echoed around the room as she cut her cake, all eyes on her. It was beautiful to watch.


    And yet, my eyes moved on their own, still searching the room for him.


    Liam ck.


    He wasn’t there. Not yet, anyway.


    And I told myself it didn’t matter. I really tried to believe that.


    Then something shifted. The kind of shift you don’t see, but feel in your bones.


    The crowd seemed to part, or maybe it was just my mind making room for what it already sensed.


    The doors opened, and I didn’t need to look to know who had just arrived.


    I felt him.


    23.35%


    08:32


    Liam.


    288 Vouchers


    Goosebumps crawled up my arms.


    He wore a burgundy tux that fit too well. Clean–cut, calm, and cold. But what made my breath catch wasn’t just him.


    It was the woman on his arm.


    Tall. Honey–blonde. Wrapped in red satin and glowing with confidence. She looked like she belonged on the cover of Vogue. Poised, elegant, and terrifyinglyfortable next to him.


    Sophia let out a low whistle beside me. “This might be my best birthday yet.”


    “Who is she?” I asked before I could stop myself.


    “ra Denise,” Jay answered, suddenly serious. “Heiress to Denise Media. Family friends.”


    “She’s… beautiful,” I muttered.


    Sophia’s grin widened knowingly. “You sound threatened. Are you?”


    I forced a smile and grabbed a ss of champagne. “I’m here to have fun. That’s what I’m going to do.”


    And I tried.


    God knows, I tried.


    I danced with Jay. Laughed with Sophia. Took selfies with strangers. I even caught Mason across the room and gave him a casual wave.


    41.80%


    08:32


    But Liam was everywhere.


    :..


    288 iVouchers


    Even when he wasn’t near me, I could feel his eyes. Watching. Measuring. Burning.


    At one point, I saw him say something to ra that made herugh loud and carefree.


    Something inside me cracked.


    And suddenly, holding it all together felt imposible.


    I needed to breathe.


    I slipped away from the chaos, heels clicking against marble, and found my way to the rooftop terrace. The air hit my skin like a balm, cool and still, the city stretched out like a secret below.


    I leaned against the railing, trying to steady my heartbeat. Just breathe. That’s all I needed to <ol><li>do. </li></ol>


    Then I heard the door behind me open.


    Footsteps.


    I didn’t have to turn. I already knew.


    His scent gave him away.


    “Shouldn’t you be entertaining your date?” I asked quietly.


    “That’s my decision to make,” Liam replied.


    I closed my eyes. “Right. None of my business.”


    57.68%


    08:32


    Silence stretched, thick and taut.


    :


    Then his voice again, lower this time. “You looked like you were having fun tonight.”


    I turned, he was closer now. Too close.


    Hands in his pockets. Jaw clenched.


    Like he was holding something back.


    Like I was the reason he couldn’t let it <ol><li>go. </li></ol>


    “I was,” I said. A lie.


    “Sure? Because you looked like you wanted to be anywhere else.”


    I folded my arms. “Why does it matter to you?”


    His eyes darkened. “Does Mason excite you that much?”


    “What?”


    288 ?Vouchers


    “Don’t y dumb. You know exactly what I’m asking.”


    I scoffed. “Well, I guess I learned from the best how to avoid conversations I’m not interested in.”


    His flinch was small, but I saw it.


    “I came out here for peace,” I said. “So if you’re done questioning me, you can leave.”


    He stepped forward. “What are you running from, Emily? Does seeing me with her bother you that much?”


    72.10%


    08:32


    288 iVouchers


    I snorted. “Don’t tter yourself. I don’t care who you’re with.”


    He came even closer, dangerously so. “Then what are you doing out here?” His voice dropped, deep and sharp. “Does Mason make your heart beat like this? Does he make you shake when he gets too close?”


    “Liam…”


    His eyes burned. “Stay away from Mason.”


    I stared at him, stunned.


    And then Iughed. Bitter, quiet. Because if I didn’t, I’d scream. “You don’t get to control me. Not when you won’t even admit what this is.”


    “Emily…”


    “No.” I stepped back. “You don’t get tomand me. I may work for you, but I’m not yours to order around.”


    I turned and walked away, heels striking the rooftop tiles, each step louder than thest.


    But I could feel him watching me leave.


    And for the first time, I think he realized…


    He wasn’t the only one who could.


    86.40%