<h4>Chapter 272: Chapter 272 A Fateful Coincidence</h4>


    Cecilia’s pov


    Harper and I were casually browsing the jewelry disys when the entire vibe of the store shifted, like someone had just walked in wearing a title and loaded with a trust fund.


    Staff scurried around, preparing the VIP lounge as if the Queen herself had RSVP’d.


    Then I felt it. Someone was watching me.


    I turned toward the entrance, but I only caught a glimpse of an elegant woman before a sales associate stepped in and blocked my view as he hurried to greet her.


    "Wait a second... that’s her," I muttered, the memory clicking into ce.


    Harper looked up from the diamond earrings she’d been fawning over. "Who?"


    I leaned in and dropped my voice. "The woman from Mrs. Dahlia’s masquerade ball. The one who bailed with us through the window. Remember? The Real VIP?"


    Harper’s eyes lit up. "Oh, her! Where is she?"


    "Don’t bother. She’s already in the VIP room."


    Harper smirked like she’d just spotted a celebrity in sweatpants.


    "Well, that night was crawling with the rich and ridiculous. Hey, you did save her. Technically.That’s gotta be worth at least one social contact, right? Let’s go say hi. Could be good for your brand."


    That word stuck with me. Save.


    It echoed in the back of my mind, unsettling and oddly specific.


    Sebastian’s mom had been there that night too.


    She’d been in danger. Someone had helped her. Someone she was now trying to find.


    And what if that someone... was me?


    "Cece?" Harper waved a hand in front of my face. "You just spaced out. What’s going on?"


    I blinked and shook it off. "Nothing. Let’s go check out the other side of the mall."


    We walked for a bit, stopping in front of a few stores, but I wasn’t really paying attention. I nodded at disys I didn’t see, gave vague answers, and Harper was definitely catching on.


    After ten minutes of me being weird and distracted, she finally gave up.


    "Uh, okay." Harper gave me a look, but she didn’t press.


    Author’s pov


    In the VIP lounge of the jewelry store, Luna Regina stood abruptly, interrupting the sales associate’s careful presentation of exclusive pieces.


    "Excuse me for a moment," she said, already moving toward the door.


    She stepped into the main showroom, eyes scanning the space like she might catch a ghost of familiarity lingering in the air.


    Something about that girl, maybe the way she stood or moved, brought something back.


    But the floor was empty now. No sign of the two girls who had just been browsing the disys.


    "They already left?" she asked, her eyes lingering on the spot where they’d been standing.


    The associate nced in the same direction and nodded, looking apologetic.


    "Yes, ma’am. But they haven’t gone far."


    Luna Regina hesitated, her eyes drifting toward the VIP lounge where her son stood waiting, arms crossed, bored out of his mind. After a brief pause, she let out a quiet breath and turned toward the exit.


    York followed, brow slightly furrowed.


    She slowed down, then nced at him.


    "Can you go find that girl we saw earlier? The way she carried herself... it felt familiar."


    York blinked. "You want me to follow someone based on how she walks? That feels... weird."


    "You..." Luna Regina started, but stopped herself.


    He wasn’t wrong.


    This wasn’t like her. Luna Regina wasn’t the type to act on impulse, especially not over a silhouette.


    But something had nagged at her. Something more than logic.


    She let out a breath and shook her head. "I’m going home."


    As much as she wanted it to mean something, recognizing a figure from behind in a city this size meant nothing.


    There were thousands of graceful women in Denver. Probably more.


    And she hadn’t even seen the girl’s face.


    Cecilia’s pov


    Once we were in the elevator, though, Harper broke.


    "Alright. Spill. You’ve been acting like you saw your ex with your therapist."


    I forced augh, but it came out hollow.


    "I think I just ate too much barbecue," I said. "Stomach’s throwing a fit. We’lle back another day for your mom’s gift."


    She didn’t even blink. Just stared at me, eyes narrowing like she could see the lie forming before I said it.


    When we got to her car, she stopped me before I could open the door.


    She nted both hands on my shoulders, pinning me down like a human lie detector. Her brows were drawn tight, jaw set.


    Full interrogation mode.


    "Who was that woman? And don’t say ’no one’. You recognized her."


    My mouth opened, then closed. I bit the inside of my cheek, trying to organize the swirl of thoughts crashing through my head.


    She unlocked the car and shoved me in, then locked the doors like she was trapping a suspect.


    "You’re not escaping this conversation," she added, sliding into the driver’s seat and turning to face me. Her expression was equal parts concern and determination.


    "Talk."


    I stared straight ahead, heart pounding harder than I liked. My hands were in myp, fingers knotted.


    Then I finally said it.


    "Sebastian’s mom was at that same party. She was in danger. Someone helped her escape. And now she’s looking for that person."


    Harper’s jaw dropped.


    "Whoa. Hold up."


    She blinked, then leaned in, her voice lower. "You think it was you?"


    "I don’t know," I said. "But it feels... too specific. Same night. Two rich women. Same kind of situation."


    I paused, hearing the words out loud for the first time. They sounded ridiculous. But something about it still clung to me, sticky and persistent.


    Harper threw up her hands.


    "Then just ask Sebastian! Or I don’t know, go to his house like a normal person and figure it out."


    I exhaled. If only it were that simple.