A Dance with Fate

ce wi

The Shatt

ly dressed guests. Harper Lane stood near the edge of the room, champagne flute in hand, surveying the crowd. Thi

s, all gathered for the charity gala she had poured her heart into organizing. The event's success would el

fiancé, Ethan, had promised that this event would mark the start o

erfectly, and his easy charm had him surrounded by a small group of attendees. He had alw

d her head, observing the interaction. The woman laughed, her hand brushing Ethan's arm. He didn't

aking her head. You

. Tonight was too important to let a moment of doubt ruin it. But as the

oice interrupte

the catering staff standing

essert table," he said. "Som

. "I'll handle it. Thank

e walk gave her a moment to collect herself. When she reached the back of the house

r. The woman in red was still with him, her laughter ringing out over the hum of conv

at the office, a sudden shift in his behavior, the evasive answers when she asked about his day.

it her like a

u o

gnize. He was tall, with sharp features and piercing blue eyes that seemed to see right throug

tomatically, though her

an eyebrow. "Because you loo

y thrown by his bluntness.

"I'm one of the event sponsors. And you're

nd. "It's nice to meet you, Mr. Cross.

ty has its perks. But right now, it s

strac

re couples were swaying to the soft mel

in red. Her stomach churned, and anger bubbled beneath the surface.

said, surprisin

le as he offered his hand. She took i

range sense of calm. Declan moved with an effortless grace

e asked, hi

ted, though her min

Declan didn't ask prying questions or offer empty platitudes. Instead, he kept

hand lingering on hers for a moment. "If you

intly. "I'll kee

's gaze returned to Ethan. He was still at t

ders, and made her way toward him. Whatever ca