Finding My Star Within

he dark in my studio, staring at the blueprin

e just came and sat beside me, pl

ve a fever," s

ust tire

around my shoulders. "Your father and

my chest was a physical thing. It was a hollow sp

n event Liam and I had always attended together. We had our first official date here. He' d boug

he loved me. The table where we' d celebrated his first big contract. The dance floor

to leave whe

and whispered something in her ear, and she tilted her head back, her laughter echoin

claration. He wasn

I had to face the whispers and the pitying looks. I turned, my he

eer' s voice boomed

he evening! A truly one-of-a-kind

falling stars, each diamond cut to catch the light in a spectacular way. It was a famous piece by a legendary designe

t rooted to

watched, a strange, foolish hope blooming in my chest. Maybe this was his apology. Mayb

e his paddle. "Five

ell over

ared at the stage, his expression deter

bids, his voice trembling with e

Davis for five hundr

ake my heart skip a beat. He walked toward the stage, and for a moment, his eyes met

arted walking back, not toward t

e was going to put the necklace on me and tell everyone I w

the table where

right in fr

azed under the ballroom lights. Sarah

ed. The entire room was silent, watching. "You are the brightest star in my sky. You

nd her neck. The diamonds rested against her

g her face in his shoulder. "Oh, Lia

shoulder, his eyes finding mine again. This time, there

es on me, the jilted fiancée, the public fool. The air was thick with the

e one he' d bought me all those yea

Maybe he never had. The Liam who stood on the other side of the room, comforting

e formed in my stomach. I w

forced myself to breathe. I had to get out o

was a flicker of confusion in his expression, as if he co

me all the st