The grand ballroom of the Metropolitan Arts Center was a spectacle of opulence, its high ceilings adorned with gold leaf and crystal chandeliers that cast prismatic reflections across the marble floor. Ava stood near the entrance, her gloved fingers clutching the stem of her champagne flute. The ivory gown she wore was a masterpiece of understated elegance, its high neckline and long sleeves a deliberate choice to armor herself against the prying eyes of Liam’s world. The sapphire bracelet—now fastened around her wrist—felt like a shackle, its weight a constant reminder of the role she was expected to play.
Liam materialized beside her, his presence a storm of controlled energy. His tuxedo was tailored to perfection, the crisp white shirt accentuating the sharp angles of his jawline. "You
