LOGINAmelia’s POVMy breath caught. "Cheating? Rowan, we weren’t together.""We were!" he shot back. "Or at least—I thought—Jesus, Amelia, you were in my bed. Hours before—""And then you went out with Sienna," I fired back."That wasn’t—it wasn’t like that!""It sure looked like it," I snapped. "To me. To everyone. You paraded her in a room full of cameras while I was begging the security guard to let me inside."Rowan’s face twisted with shame.Gabriel stepped in, voice low but razor-sharp. "You don’t get to rewrite this into her betraying you. You hurt her. Over and over. And she finally reached for someone who doesn’t treat her like an afterthought."Rowan rounded on him. "Of course you’d say that. You’ve been trying to get between us since day one.""Rowan, stop," I said sharply.He froze, chest heaving.I took a step back from both of them, needing space to breathe. "I’m not cheating on anyone. I’m allowed to walk away from someone who keeps breaking my heart."Rowan’s voice cracked.
Amelia’s POVMy stomach twisted so hard I felt light-headed. "This is none of your business, Rowan.""The hell it isn’t!" Rowan roared, the sound splitting through the observatory dome like thunder.I flinched.Gabriel’s arm instinctively moved in front of me. "Lower your voice," he said calmly. "She doesn’t owe you any explanations."Rowan barked out a sharp, humorless laugh. "Oh, spare me the therapist's tone. You’re not her guardian. You’re not her boyfriend. You’re a rebound she’s trying to convince herself she wants."Heat shot through my chest. "Rowan—" I warned, my voice trembling with anger and humiliation.But he wasn’t finished. He surged forward a step, eyes blazing, voice cracking with fury. "You think I didn’t hear you two last night? Making plans? Right after—""Enough," Gabriel snapped. The sudden bite in his tone shocked even me.Rowan’s head snapped toward him. "Stay the hell out of this.""Gladly," Gabriel said coolly, "but you’re upsetting her.""I’m upsetting her?"
Amelia’s POVThe observatory was glowing like a glass temple against the night sky. Its curved dome shimmered under the moonlight. I stepped out of Gabriel’s car and took a breath of the cool, star–scented air."Gabriel," I whispered, staring up. "This is… God, it’s stunning."He smiled, hands tucked neatly in the pockets of his dark coat. "I’m glad you like it.""Like it? We’re literally the only ones here.""We are," he said, sounding almost mischievous. "Tonight, the sky is yours."A soft laugh escaped me. "How… how did you even manage that? I thought this place booked out months in advance."He shrugged lightly. "I have my ways." He added with a teasing grin, "I promise I’m not a criminal."We walked up the steps together. He maintained a careful, gentlemanly distance—the kind that said I want to be close, but only if you want it too.It was strangely comforting.Inside, the lights were dim, golden. The air smelled faintly of dust and old books. Telescopes stood like silent guar
Rowan’s POVI shouldn’t have been listening. I knew it was low, pathetic even. But I did it anyway—leaning just close enough to hear Amelia and that smug bastard Gabriel whispering on the balcony."…tomorrow night… something special…" Gabriel said.Amelia’s soft laugh followed, and something inside me sliced open.They were making plans. Tomorrow night. Together.I forced myself back into the crowd before I could punch a hole through a wall.I stood beside Sienna as the auction continued, raising my paddle at random, bidding on whatever shiny nonsense she pointed at. Jewelry, art, a fucking antique vase she didn’t even bother to look at twice. I bought it all with the same half-dead expression. But my mind was nowhere near this ballroom.My mind was locked on Amelia.Of course she’d moved on.Of course she’d chosen Gabriel. Again.And yeah—I’d been an idiot for standing her up. I should’ve texted. I should’ve called. Hell, I should’ve run through the damn city barefoot if that’s what
Amelia’s POVMy throat tightened. Surprise and something soft flickered inside."You don’t… have to rescue me, you know," I whispered.He reached out, tucking a stray curl behind my ear. "Of course you don’t need rescuing. I just want to spend time with you, that’s all. If… you want that too."I exhaled. "I’m not sure what I want, Gabriel.""Then let me show you." His voice was steady. "Let me show you what I think you deserve.""I don’t know, Gabriel," I murmured. "I think I just… need a break from romance. My heart feels like it’s been through a blender."He stepped closer, slow and deliberate, until I could feel the warmth radiating from him. Then he placed a gentle hand on my shoulder, careful and respectful."We don’t have to name anything," he said softly. "No pressure. No labels. Just follow whatever our hearts are capable of right now. If that’s friendship, good. If one day it becomes more… then we’ll cross that bridge when we’re both ready."His bright blue eyes held mine wi
Amelia’s POVI watched Rowan and Sienna walk off, her hand wrapped possessively around his arm, and something inside me just… shut. Like a door slamming. A lock turning. My heart sealed over, cold and final.God. Gabriel had been right. I’d been a fool—a world-class, award-winning fool—for letting Rowan back in.When I turned to Gabriel, he was wearing the smuggest expression I’d ever seen on a human being. Not furious anymore. Just… satisfied. Which somehow offended me even more."I’m trying really hard not to say ‘I told you so,’" he said, lips twitching like he was physically restraining the grin.I let out a sharp scoff. "You’re failing miserably.""I didn’t say I was succeeding," he replied, lifting an eyebrow.Before I could snap something back, Zara reappeared from chatting with a small cluster of film producers. "All right, darlings—what did I miss?" she asked, sliding gracefully into her seat.Gabriel and I exchanged a look. I exhaled. "Oh Zara… you have no idea."She lean







