The ballroom glowed with chandeliers and golden drapes, alive with soft music, clinking glasses, and the hum of wealthy donors who would buy overpriced items just to look like saints.
Ava arrived on Xander’s arm, sleek in a backless silver dress that glittered in the flashes of the camera lights.
Her smile was polite— too polite. She still felt Tristan somewhere behind her like a shadow she pretended not to search for.
As the cameras flashed and couples were seen taking photos and chatting at the entrance of the building, Xander squeezed her waist. “Smile, baby. People are watching.”
She did when she saw that Tristan was no longer trailing behind them.
But her heartbeat stuttered when she finally spotted Tristan across the hall. His black suit magnificently sculpted his obviously ch
