I entered Elijah's opulent party, adorned in a dress that once held significance in our shared history. The lively atmosphere surrounded me, pulsating with laughter and music, but the air quickly turned heavy with the weight of judgment. Whispers and sidelong glances followed my every step, creating an invisible barrier between me and the joyous celebration.
As I approached the crowd, Serena, Elijah's new companion, greeted me with a thinly veiled smirk. "Look who decided to join the party. Didn't think you'd have the nerve after Elijah moved on," she remarked, her words dripping with condescension.
I forced a tight smile, attempting to deflect the hostility. "I'm here to celebrate Elijah's success. That's all," I replied, my voice betraying a hint of vulnerability.
Serena chuckled, a s
