Chapter 51: Humuliation
(Aria's POV)
The crowd swirled by like a wavecrest, glittering and loud, but I stayed anchored in my little corner, quietly sipping champagne. The sweet fizz tingled on my tongue, and every sip brought a small moment of peace.
My fingers twisted the delicate stem of the glass as I sat on a soft chaise. The spotlight was off me tonight, and I planned to keep it that way.
Diana stood in the center of the room, the queen of her castle. Her red velvet gown clung to her, sparkling with millions in diamonds.
Every inch of her was calculated perfection, from the flowing length of the dress to the tiara atop her head.
She was radiant, but it wasn’t enough.
I could feel her gaze flick to me—again and again. She’d steal glances when she thought no one else notic
