I came down the stairs wearing a glamorous evening gown in a deep maroon,the strapless knotted bust flowing into an elegant ruched skirt with a subtle train,and matching maroon pointed-toe mule heels.
When I reached the first floor, I saw Aaron casually seated on the couch,wearing a black suit that looked like it had been tailored to his body he had a drink in his hand,I cleared my throat making look up.
He stood up lazily as he finished his drink in one gulp.
Crossing my hands "Are we leaving now," I asked.
He glanced at me before putting the glass on the table.
"Yeah let's go"he said.
As he started walking in front of me,I trailed behind him biting the inside of my cheek.we got onto the car,The door shut with a soft thud,the city lights glowed through the tinted windows as the driver pulled away from the mansion.
I folded my hands in my lap, trying not to think about how close he was. His presence always did something strange to me — like the air became heavier, making it hard to breathe.
Aaron sat beside me, looking outside, his jaw set. He didn't say anything, and neither did I.
But then I felt his gaze.I turned slightly and caught him looking at me really looking at me not just a glance like he always did.
His eyes flickered over my dress, the way the maroon fabric hugged me, the way my hair fell over my shoulders.
Just for a moment, something unreadable crossed his face.
He then said "don't drink to much,try to stay were I can see you".right after turned back to the window.
It was nothing new he always told me that before any social event,I just hummed in response, staring down at my hands.
The rest of the ride passed in silence, the soft hum of the engine filling the space between us. I watched the city blur past through the window until the car finally slowed.
Golden lights flooded in as we pulled up to the venue.The building was massive, elegant, glowing like something out of a dream. Valets rushed forward, opening doors for guests stepping out in gowns and tailored suits.
Aaron got out first.he turned and held his hand out for me I hesitated for half a second before placing my hand in his.The moment our skin touched, something warm and unfamiliar spread through me. His grip was firm, steady like he wasn't about to let go.
He didn't look at me,he didn't let go either as he guided me towards the venue.
Inside, the air was filled with soft music, quiet laughter, and the shimmer of crystal chandeliers. People turned to look at us at him, at us together whispers following in our wake.
Aaron wrapped his hand possessively around my waist,a sign that I was his."Smile," he murmured, just loud enough for me to hear. "They're watching."
The moment we fully stepped inside, a familiar voice called his name.
Aaron straightened slightly, his hand still resting on my waist as we were led deeper into the ballroom. We passed tables filled with wealthy families, crystal glasses, and soft golden candlelight.
Our table was near the front close enough that everyone could see us.
When we reached it, his father gestured toward two seats beside each other.
"Sit here," he said Aaron pulled out the chair for me.
A small gesture.
But it made my chest tighten anyway.
"Thank you," I whispered as I sat.
He took the seat beside me, close enough that I could feel the warmth of him through the thin fabric of my dress.
A waiter approached with champagne. Without even looking, Aaron reached out and gently covered my glass with his hand.
"Sparkling water for her," he said calmly.
The waiter nodded and switched the drink.
I blinked,it wasn't a surprise he always acted like this in public.
His chair shifted closer to mine, his arm sliding behind my back, resting lightly against my waist — a quiet warning to anyone who might be looking.
"Eat," he murmured softly, just for me. "You haven't touched anything."
"Im not hungry," I replied quietly.
He glanced at me for a moment, longer than usual.
"You need to be."
I stood up and excused myself to the restroom,with a polite smile on my face.
I walked away from the table, my heels clicking softly against the polished floor. The farther I got, the quieter everything felt, until the music and voices blurred into nothing but a dull hum in my ears.
Inside the restroom, the air was cooler. I leaned against the marble counter, staring at my reflection.
The maroon dress still looked perfect.My hair was still in place.My lipstick hadn't smudged.
I fixed a loose strand of hair, took a slow breath, and forced myself to look composed.
After a few minutes, I left.
When I returned to the table no one was there the chairs were still there glasses were still half-full.But Aaron was gone.
For a second, I just stood there, feeling stupid in the middle of the ballroom, like I had walked back into the wrong life.
My chest tightened I didn't know where he had gone I turned away.
The bar was glowing softly on the other side of the room. Crystal bottles lined the shelves, golden light reflecting off glass.
I walked toward it and sat on one of the tall stools, smoothing my dress beneath me.
"One drink," I murmured.
Something simple to give my hands something to do.
As I waited, my eyes drifted across the room without really meaning to.
And that's when I saw Aaron.
Standing near the far side of the ballroom.
He wasn't alone he was talking to a man in a black suit with a composed expression on his face.
My fingers curled slowly around the glass as the bartender placed it in front of me.
"Elizabeth, long time no see."A deep, familiar voice made my heart jolt.
I turned, my breath catching in my throat.
"Christopher…?"
He stood there in a perfectly tailored suit, taller than I remembered, broader too — but his eyes were still the same. Warm.Steady. The kind that always used to make me feel safe.
"My God," he smiled. "It's really you."
I hadn't seen him since high school since before my marriage.
"I— I didn't know you'd be here," I said softly.
"Neither did I," he replied. "But when I saw you, I had to come over."
He glanced at the glass in my hand. "Are you hiding from the party already?"
I let out a small, nervous laugh. "Something like that."
He pulled the stool beside me and sat down. "You look… incredible, Elizabeth. Seriously."
Heat crept into my cheeks. "Thank you."
There was a pause — it wasn't awkward, just… heavy with things left unsaid.
"So," he said carefully. "You're really married to Aaron Marino now."
I nodded. "Yeah. 2 years."
His jaw tightened just a little, something flickering behind his eyes before he masked it with a smile. "He's… powerful. Everyone talks about him."
I looked down at my drink. "That's one way to put it."
Christopher watched me for a moment, like he could tell there was more I wasn't saying.
"You don't look happy," he said quietly.
I froze.
"I— I am," I lied. "It's just… loud in here."
He didn't call me out on it. He just nodded.
"Well," he said gently, "I'm glad I ran into you. I've thought about you more times than I should admit."
My heart skipped.
Before I could respond, I felt someone staring at us.
Aaron.He was walking back into the ballroom his eyes were locked on me on Christopher and how close we were sitting.
Something dark and unreadable crossed his face as his gaze lingered on Christopher's hand resting casually on the bar near mine.
Aaron stopped just a few steps away.
I felt it before I saw it — the shift in the air, the way the warmth beside me suddenly felt cold.
"Elizabeth."His voice was calm.
I turned. "Aaron."
His eyes didn't leave Christopher.
"And you are?" he asked.
Christopher stood smoothly, offering a polite smile. "Christopher. A friend of Elizabeth's."
"A friend," Aaron repeated, his gaze flicking briefly to me before returning to him.
"Yes," Christopher added. "We go way back."
Something sharp and unreadable flashed in Aaron's eyes.
"I was just keeping your wife company," Christopher continued. "She looked like she needed it."
Aaron stepped closer. His hand slid around my waist firm, possessive pulling me just slightly toward him.
"I don't remember asking anyone to do that," he said.
My heart pounded in my chest rapidly.
Christopher's jaw tightened. "I wasn't aware I needed permission to speak to her."
The tension between them was thick enough to choke on.
Aaron's fingers pressed into my waist, grounding me or claiming me.
"We were just talking," I said softly, trying to ease it.
Aaron didn't look at me."We're leaving," he said.
"What?" I blinked.
"Now."
Christopher looked at me, concern in his eyes. "Elizabeth—"
"I said we're leaving," Aaron cut in, his voice low and dangerous.
He took my hand and turned, not waiting for me to answer.
As he pulled me away, I glanced back at Christopher.
He wasn't smiling he just stared at me.
The car door slammed shut behind us.
The city blurred past the tinted windows again, the silence felt sharper heavy with everything neither of us was saying.
Aaron didn't look at me. His jaw was tight, his hand still resting on his knee like he was holding something back.
"Who was that?" he finally asked.
"My… childhood friend," I said softly. "Christopher."
"A friend," he repeated, bitter this time.
"Yes," I said. "We grew up together. I hadn't seen him in years."