Elena Carney stood at the edge of the ballroom, her silk gown shimmering beneath the chandeliers. She swirled the wine in her glass, her smile poised, her eyes sharp as they followed Julian and Kya gliding through the crowd like royalty. Together, Byrd and Gray looked untouchable—two dynasties united in elegance. Elena’s jaw tightened. That should have been me.
“Quite the view, isn’t it?”
The voice was smooth, playful. She turned to find Alexander Whitmore, Julian’s younger cousin, standing beside her. He was five years younger, equally handsome, with the same sharp Whitmore features softened by charm. Though wealthy in his own right, he lacked Julian’s empire—but his confidence made up for it.
“You look far too stunning to be standing here alone,” Alexander said, offering his hand.
El
