ELISHA’S POVThe next second, I watched the waitress push Zane backward. The crash of glass hit the room like a gunshot.Every head turned.Champagne flutes lay shattered on the floor, their contents seeping into the white linen. Zane stood above the mess, red-faced, his body tense and posture aggressive. She, on the other hand, stood defiantly, almost daring him to make another move. “What the hell are you doing!?” Zane’s voice boomed, rough and furious. It echoed across the marble floors, silencing every conversation. The music stopped. Forks paused mid-air. Eyes stared.I was already moving toward her.“Hey, are you okay?” I asked. “Don’t get involved, Montgomery,” Zane warned, his eyes flashing with an anger i’ve never seen before. I ignored him and focused on the girl. “Did you get hurt?” She looked at me, smiling. “Perfectly fine, Miss.”“You’re fine?” I blinked, thrown off by her calmness.“Yes,” she repeated, smiling too calmly. “I got this, please return to your party.”
ELISHA’S POVI stepped inside and dropped my coat. The quiet felt heavy. I slumped onto my couch, staring at the spot where he’d last stood. My phone buzzed in my pocket. I glanced at it, thought better of an immediate distraction, then slid it out to reopen the gossip page.But it was gone. The article, the photo, everything I had panicked over. They must have pulled it quickly. Either Anthony paid for damage control, or Dad did it to protect Natalie’s engagement with Francesco. Either way, someone had acted fast to make sure Nat was as safe as a baby bird. A bitter laugh escaped me. How pathetic. I showed up in his penthouse in that dress. I stayed late waiting for him. And while I waited, he was hugging my sister.How. Pathetic. Am. I?Tears stung at my lids. I blinked them back. Not worth it—he wasn’t worth it anymore. I stood and shoved the phone aside.I looked at Bubblegum curled up on the rug. My only constant. I stroked her head. She looked up, wagged her tail, and settl
ANTHONY’S POVI stood in front of the mirror, water still dripping down my face. My heart was racing. Not from fear, but something else. My chest felt like it could barely contain the way it pounded. I braced my hands on the edge of the sink, trying to catch my breath. It wasn’t just what happened—it was how easy it felt. Her lips, her hands, the quiet sounds she made that only I got to hear. It had felt real. Grounded. Like maybe we were starting again, for real this time.I leaned on the sink, staring at my reflection. My hair was a mess. My skin was flushed. My lips were still tingling. I looked like a man who’d just won something—something he’d wanted for a long time.She chose to stay. She chose me. The thought alone was enough to make my chest feel tight.I dried my face, smoothed my hair back, tried to calm myself down. I couldn’t afford to mess this up by rushing. I couldn’t scare her away now. We’d just shared something real. Something perfect. I couldn’t bulldoze ahead an
ELISHA’S POVAnthony’s upcoming birthday party was announced in the papers. That wasn’t the one I’d been invited to, apparently. Looking at the invitation again, this seemed like a private, more intimate party with just the two of us. The venue was his penthouse… the same one where we’d spent the night together after the incident at the hotel with Damian. I knew what he was trying to do… I wasn’t a fool.“Did you get my invite?” he asked me when he called. “Yes, seems like a fun party,” I teased. “Oh yes, very fun. Super small. Just a close friend.”“Right,” I laughed.Then came the tone I recognized too well—apologetic and sheepish.“Listen,” he began. “You probably saw the news about the big country‑house party at Grandad’s place…”Of course, I had.“Yes,” I said softly.“Look—I’m only going for an hour. To be polite. But I want to spend the evening with you. Alone. You understand, right?”Of course I did. I was once part of this world. We had to be polite, present, and diplomat
ANTHONY’S POVI had everything planned for tonight. Something simple, private. Just her and me.A late dinner on the terrace of my penthouse, the skyline lit up in the distance. Her favorite playlist and a candlelit table set by a chef flown in from Italy. Every detail was for her. I didn’t want gifts or speeches. I wanted Elisha.But plans rarely survive my family.My stepmother had other ideas—an entire celebration at Grandad’s country house. Champagne fountains. Ice sculptures. Imported orchids from Thailand. She said it was just a “little gathering,” but I knew better. There’d be hundreds of guests, photographers, catered food, and a full bar. And I had to show up—if only out of respect.My father didn’t care for such parties. He barely cared for birthdays. But Priscilla loved appearances. She always had. Especially now, with Grandad watching everything more closely.So I put on the tux. I combed my hair back. And I drove two hours out of the city just to wave at a crowd of peop
ELISHA’S POVOver the next few weeks, every time I arrived at the lab, there was always a gift in my locker. Always with a card… always with a message to have a nice day… always signed. Anthony. The gifts were always expensive—a designer wallet, a pair of Cartier earrings, and a rare perfume—and always accompanied by snacks. Belgian chocolate-covered pretzels. French macaroons. Sometimes he’d send a packed lunch around noon. I couldn’t fathom what he was trying to do here… we had clearly left things on bad terms. He’d been walking around with a scar on his lip that hadn’t healed as fast as he’d hoped. People stared… but didn’t dare ask. That morning, I opened my locker to find the day’s haul: a luxurious essential oil set from India and a basket of freshly baked muffins from my favorite bakery. I breathed in the scent as I unpacked my work bag. “What is it this time?” I nearly jumped out of my skin. I turned to see Davina, grinning ear to ear. I subtly packed the oils into my b