Serenity
The applause rang in my ears, the sound echoing through the grand hall like a hollow drumbeat. I stood at the front of the room, the weight of the gold-plated trophy in my hands feeling heavier than I expected. It was absurd, really. A philanthropy award for a woman who hadn’t done a single thing that could be considered selfless.
The room was full of influencers, investors, donors, and the usual faces—each one polished and perfect, standing in gleaming tuxedos and glittering gowns, nodding politely as I took my place at the front. A sea of smiles, all of them fake, all of them rehearsed.
Luca was there too, as expected. He stood in the back with the other men, his gaze fixed on me, but there was nothing in his expression that I could read. I couldn’t decide if I wanted to beli
