Kaelen's POV
The laughter from the ballroom fades the moment I step outside.
The valet immediately jogs toward me, keys in hand, but I snatch them before he can say a word.
The car unlocks with a beep. I slide in, start the engine, and peel out of the lot before anyone can follow.
The road stretches ahead. For a while, I just drive, and all I can hear is my own thoughts hammering in my head.
That song. Her song.
I grip the wheel tighter.
Celestine’s voice cuts through the noise in my head: “You went looking for her.”
I slam my palm against the wheel. “I wasn’t looking for her,” I mutter, but even I don’t buy it.
The city lights fade behind me. The forested stretch of road feels heavier somehow, like the world’s holding its breath. I roll the window down, hoping the cold air will
