Chapter 3
614 Words
The ballroom’s music swelled again, but to Selena, it sounded like thunder.
She forced herself to smile as she stepped back inside, pretending nothing had happened — pretending her pulse wasn’t still racing from the memory of Jason’s voice, his closeness, that single reckless touch.
Brad was surrounded by investors near the stage, his charm on full display. The Monroe name carried weight in the room, and he wore it like armor — sharp, steady, untouchable.
Selena adjusted her dress, pushing down the tremor in her chest. She could manage this. Jason was gone. It was over.
At least, she thought it was.
Because when Brad turned to welcome the next guest, his confident grin faltered.
“Jason,” he said flatly.
The name cracked through the air like glass. Conversations around them dimmed, curiosity sparking across champagne-soaked whispers.
Selena froze. No. Not now.
Jason stood a few paces away, calm as ever, the picture of composed defiance. His tux was impeccable, his posture effortless — but his eyes, those gray-blue eyes, locked on Brad with a quiet intensity that silenced the room.
“Brad,” he said evenly, his tone polite — almost too polite. “It’s been a while.”
Brad’s jaw tightened. “Five years, to be exact. Long enough for most men to learn boundaries.”
A murmur rippled through the nearby guests. Selena stepped forward quickly, her voice soft but steady. “Brad — this isn’t the place.”
But her brother didn’t look at her. His focus stayed on Jason — old wounds flickering in his eyes like open flame.
“Don’t worry,” Jason said, his lips curving slightly. “I’m not here to start anything. My foundation is co-sponsoring the AI Youth Initiative with the MonKnight Foundation. The board invited me.”
Brad gave a short, humorless laugh. “You mean my board — the one you nearly destroyed?”
Selena’s breath hitched. Around them, guests began to glance nervously at one another, unsure whether to stay or step away.
Jason’s voice stayed low, calm — but edged. “I didn’t destroy anything, Brad. I walked away. Big difference.”
Brad took a step closer. “After stealing what wasn’t yours.”
That did it. The words hung between them like a weapon. The ballroom was suddenly too quiet, too hot.
Selena moved quickly, placing a gentle hand on her brother’s arm. “Brad, please — let’s not do this here.”
He didn’t move. His glare stayed fixed on Jason.
Jason, to his credit, didn’t flinch. He just looked at her — really looked — and something unspoken passed between them. A silent plea. Don’t defend me. Not yet.
Then, just as security began to edge forward, Jason broke the tension himself. He smiled faintly, raised his glass, and said, “For what it’s worth, the MonKnight Foundation does excellent work. Maybe one day, legacy won’t depend on lies.”
And with that, he turned and walked away.
The moment he disappeared into the crowd, Brad exhaled sharply, his composure cracking for the first time all evening.
“Unbelievable,” he muttered, turning to Selena. “Who let him in? I want his name off every guest list, every partnership—”
“Brad—”
“Not a word, Selena.” His tone was cold now, final. “That man doesn’t belong anywhere near us. Or you.”
Selena swallowed hard, the words burning like ash. “Understood.”
But as she watched Jason’s retreating figure disappear into the golden blur of the ballroom, one truth settled deep in her chest — dangerous and undeniable.
She wasn’t ready to let him go. Not again.
- Writer
