Natalie's pov
The applause continued longer than I expected it to.
It echoed around the ballroom while I stood beneath hundreds of curious eyes, smiling so hard my cheeks began to ache.
Joey's hand rested lightly against my shoulder, in a way that seemed more… deliberate than it was loving.
Then, he waved at the guests.
“Enjoy yourselves,” he announced.
The orchestra immediately struck up another song.
People dispersed once again, chattering with themselves and each other.
Conversations resumed again, and the champagne glasses clinked together.
I exhaled quietly, carefully stepping away from Joey, intending to disappear into the crowd.
“Natalie, wait,” My mother hurried toward me.
Once again, I was in awe of how she looked.
I scanned her face, watching every micro expression
