As I turned, it was Aaron
Aaron i gasped.
"Were you expecting someone else?" he asked, smiling — that slow, knowing smile — as he grabbed my waist and held my hands, moving my body to the beat like it belonged there. Like I belonged there.
He was staring into my soul.
"Um… no. No, not really," I lied.
My eyes betrayed me immediately, flickering across his shoulder, scanning the room in quiet panic.
Aaron noticed. Of course he did. His grip tightened just slightly as he pulled me into a smooth turn.
"That's good to know," he smirked, swinging me back toward him.
That got my attention.
I stared at him properly this time, really looked at him. His jaw was still faintly swollen from earlier. A thin shadow of bruising was forming near his lip. And yet he was smiling like none of it mattered.
A million thoughts raced through my head as we danced.
The music was gentle but rhythmic — soft Latin strings layered over steady percussion.
Salsa.
Intimate, Close, and Intentional.
Other people were dancing too. Couples laughing. Dresses swaying. Hands resting too comfortably on bodies that didn't belong to them. The party had swallowed the earlier chaos like it never happened.
But I hadn't.
Aaron spun me again. My dress flared slightly. My heels clicked against the marble. He guided me easily, confidently, like he had done this a thousand times.
We kept exchanging partners, the circle shifting fluidly, hands passing hands, bodies moving in practiced patterns.
And then—
I got to Victor.
I gasped.
It was small. Barely audible. But he heard it.
He stared right into my soul.
His hand slid to my waist — firmer than Aaron's.
Possessive and familiar .
People were around us.
He wouldn't dare mess up here. I told myself that.
"You look so beautiful," he said smoothly as we danced.
His voice was low and his tone controlled.
I was so uncomfortable.
"Thank you," I whispered.
I couldn't look at him for long. But when I did—
He was devouring me with his eyes.
Not admiring. Not appreciating. Devouring.
My knees felt weak.
The way his thumb pressed slightly into my waist. The way his fingers knew exactly where to rest. The way he leaned closer under the excuse of the music with his breath pressing onto my face.
It felt like a secret conversation happening in plain sight.
And then
Victor's attention shifted.
He let go of my hands briefly and walked toward a cluster of men near the staircase. Business partners. Men who had flown in from other cities. Executives who had helped him build his empire. He shook each of their hands firmly, smiled, thanked them for coming, made jokes that drew quiet laughter, and ensured each felt noticed, respected, important.
I watched him. He was so confident and in control.
He was perfect.
Before he could retreat, a small voice cut through the murmur.
"Daddy!"
Lily.
She ran across the marble floor toward him, her pink dress flaring like a cloud, her tiny hands outstretched. Victor bent down effortlessly, scooping her up. Her laughter filled the air, high and clear. He kissed her forehead, whispered something that made her giggle even more, and carried her with ease, holding her against his chest as if she were the most precious thing in the room.
And then—my eyes found Elena.
She was standing near the staircase. Watching. Smiling. My weak knees became firm instantly.
Her smile wasn't wide. Wasn't dramatic. Just soft, calm and controlled.
And when she noticed I saw her—
She lifted her glass slightly and mouthed something.
"Enjoy."
With a smile on her face.
My breath stopped for a while.
My poor sister.
If only she knew.
Victor spun me again, breaking eye contact, pulling me back into the rhythm. His jaw tightened slightly, but his expression remained composed.
The music shifted partners again.
Hands changed.
Bodies rotated.
And I was back with Aaron.
He studied my face for a second longer than necessary.
"Your brother-in-law…" he began.
My heart skipped.
"He seems weird."
I forced a small laugh. "Why would you say so?" I asked carefully, trying to see how much he knew.
Aaron shrugged lightly as he guided me backward into a dip before pulling me upright again.
"I don't know," he said. "I think he's overprotective."
"Yes. Yes," I snapped before he could finish. "Victor is overprotective."
Too quick. Too defensive.
Aaron's eyes narrowed just slightly.
I avoided them.
Instead, I looked across his shoulder again.
And there he was.
Victor had moved toward Elena. He leaned down, whispering something in her ear. Her head tilted slightly toward him. She smiled. He kissed her lips. Softly. Like a devoted husband. Then he slid an arm under her knees and lifted her. Carried her. Effortlessly. She rested against his chest as he headed back inside.
I guessed he needed her to rest more. That's what it looked like. That's what it had to be.
The music continued.
People clapped lightly at a spin happening near us.
Someone laughed too loudly.
Aaron pulled me back into rhythm, but my steps weren't as sharp now.
My mind was upstairs. With them. Did he tell her something just now? Was that kiss reassurance? Or performance?
Aaron leaned closer. "You okay?"
"I'm fine," I said automatically.
He didn't look convinced.
We spun again. And again.
The room felt smaller. Hotter.
I forced myself to focus on the steps. On the count. On the music.
But something inside me felt unsettled.
Like the air had shifted. Like something had just been set in motion.
Aaron's hand rested steady at my waist. His other hand lifted mine gently as he turned me outward and back in.
Our bodies aligned again. His gaze softened slightly.
And that's when—
My dance with Aaron was interrupted.
A hand touched my arm. Soft. But firm.
I turned.
It was Mother.
Her expression stopped my breath.
Her eyes were glossy. Not dramatic. Not loud. Just… wet.
"Alyssa," she said quietly.
Aaron stepped back
immediately. "Is everything alright?" he asked.
Mother didn't look at him. Her gaze stayed on me. Something was wrong.
She reached for my wrist this time, her fingers colder than they should have been.
"Alyssa," she repeated.
The music kept playing behind us. People kept dancing. But it felt distant now. Muted. Like I was underwater.
My stomach tightened.
Her lower lip trembled slightly before she steadied it.
"We need to talk."