Elena woke up the next morning with a dull ache in her chest. The party had been a whirlwind of emotions—reconnecting with Alex had been nice, but Adam’s quiet retreat lingered in her mind. His smile, though polite, had carried a weight she couldn’t ignore.
She shook her head, determined to push away the thoughts. After all, what reason did she have to feel guilty? Adam had been distant lately, and Lucy’s presence at the party only confirmed his lack of interest. Still, the memory of his gaze on her as she descended the stairs last night refused to fade.
As Elena got dressed, a knock at her door interrupted her thoughts.
“Elena? You in there?” Her mother's voice called.
“Come in,” Elena replied, tying her hair into a loose bun.
Grace entered, her expression a mix of concern and curios
