2. Alchemy of shame

My champagne glass felt slippery in my suddenly sweaty palm. I couldn’t stop sneaking glances even though I had turned my back to the entrance. My heart was beating so hard it hurt.

They were here. Ethan and Edgar Caldwell were standing somewhere behind me in this very ballroom, and it felt like every nerve in my body was on fire.

I took a slow, steadying breath, forcing my signature smile onto my face. I was Ava Montgomery. I don't get nervous. I make other people nervous. Still, my legs were shaky as I turned around, pretending I was simply scanning the room for someone important.

There they were.

Taller than I remembered. Much taller. Both of them easily over six feet now, with broad shoulders that filled their tailored black suits perfectly. Their faces were the same… yet completely different. Sharper jawlines, stronger cheekbones, and an aura of raw masculinity that made my stomach tighten in ways I didn’t want to admit.

Ethan stood slightly to the left, his posture rigid, expression cool and unreadable. His dark hair was styled back neatly, eyes scanning the crowd with quiet intensity. Evan was beside him, looking more relaxed, a faint smirk playing on his lips as he greeted someone I didn’t care about.

They looked like gods who had stepped out of a magazine. They reeked of danger now;the kind of danger I was addicted to.

They hadn’t even noticed me yet I hated how small that made me feel.

I straightened my spine, pushing my chest out just enough to make my dress work for me. My blonde hair swayed as I walked toward them with the confident stride I had perfected over years of ruling Greenwich Academy. People parted for me naturally. A few girls shot me jealous glances.

When I was only a few feet away, I stopped, waiting for them to look at me. Waiting for the smiles I had dreamed about for six years.

i was greeted with Nothing.

Ethan’s gaze passed over me like I was just another pretty girl in the crowd. Edgar's eyes flicked in my direction for half a second, then moved on as if I didn’t exist. They continued their conversation with some older man, laughing politely at whatever he said.

My cheeks started to burn.

This wasn’t how it was supposed to go.

I swallowed the lump forming in my throat and took another step closer. My voice came out sweeter than I intended, laced with the charm I usually reserved for when I wanted something.

“Ethan? Edgar?”

Both of them turned at the same time.

For one brief moment, their identical gray blue eyes locked onto mine. My breath caught. Up close, they were even more devastating. Ethan’s stare was piercing, almost cold. Edgar's held a hint of amusement, but nothing warm.

They gave me nothing but a polite blink and a small, distant smile, the kind you give to a stranger at a party when you’re trying to be civil.

There was No recognition, No “Ava, is that really you?”

Humiliation crawled up my spine like ice water. I felt my face growing hotter. How could they not know who I was? We grew up together. We were inseparable. I had cried for them. I had touched myself thinking about them more times than I could count. And they looked at me like I was just another rich blonde in a short dress.

Edgar tilted his head slightly, his smirk deepening, but it didn’t reach his eyes. Ethan simply raised one eyebrow, his expression unreadable.

Before I could stop myself, embarrassment and desperation pushed me forward. I stepped straight into Ethan’s space and wrapped my arms around him in a hug, the kind of hug that said “I missed you” and “Please remember me.”

His body went stiff against mine.

For a second, I felt the hardness of his chest, the warmth of his body, the clean masculine scent of his cologne. My breasts pressed against him, and a traitorous spark of heat shot between my legs despite everything.

Then he gently but firmly placed his hands on my waist and pushed me back.

It was not rough but I understood. Personal space. I stumbled back half a step, cheeks flaming with hot shame.

Edgar didn’t even move. He just watched the whole thing with mild interest, like I was some entertaining sideshow.

The silence stretched. I could feel eyes on us now, a few guests glancing over, probably wondering why the Montgomery girl was making a fool of herself.

My throat tightened, This was mortifying. I prayed the ground would open and swallow me whole but before the ground could do that, a familiar warm voice cut through the tension.

“Ava, darling! There you are!”

Mrs. Sophia appeared beside us, her face lighting up with genuine affection. She pulled me into a real hug, the kind that smelled like expensive perfume and warmth.

“Look at you,” she said warmly, holding me at arm’s length. “You’ve grown into such a stunning young woman. That hair! And that dress my goodness.”

She turned to her sons, her smile bright and expectant.

“Boys, you remember Ava, don’t you? Little Ava Montgomery from next door. You three were practically glued together when you were kids.”

The change was instant, but not warm.

Recognition flickered in their eyes. Ethan’s gaze sharpened. Edgar's smirk softened into something more neutral.

“Oh,” Ethan said, his voice deep and smooth, but completely polite. “Of course. Ava.”

Edgar gave a small nod. “Hey.”

That was it, No “We missed you.” No warm hug or teasing comment.

Mrs. Caldwell seemed to sense the awkwardness because she gently nudged Ethan forward. “Come on, give her a proper hello. It’s been six years!”

Ethan hesitated for half a second, then stepped closer and wrapped one arm around me in a brief, obligatory hug. It was careful. His hand barely touched my back. When he pulled away, there was no lingering spark. Edgar followed with a similar quick, one armed hug, his touch even lighter, like he was doing it only to avoid embarrassing me further in front of his mother.

“There,” Mrs. Caldwell said cheerfully, completely oblivious or pretending to be. “That’s better. You three will have plenty of time to catch up now that the boys are back for good. Ava, you must come over to the house soon. We’ll have dinner, just like old times.”

I forced a smile, the one I used when I wanted to hide how much something hurt.

“Yeah… that sounds nice,” I managed, my voice sounding too high.

My cheeks were still burning. My chest felt tight with shame. I had thrown myself at Ethan like some desperate little girl, and he had pushed me away. Edgar barely acknowledged me. Even after their mother reminded them who I was, their greetings felt cold and obligatory; the kind you give to an old neighbor you barely remember.

I felt cheap. Edgar’s gaze dropped briefly to my body, my breasts, my legs before flicking back up. But there was no heat in it just casual male appreciation for a pretty girl in a short dress.

“I should go check on my parents,” I said quickly, needing to escape before I humiliated myself even further. “It was… nice seeing you again.”

I turned and walked away with as much dignity as I could muster, my hips swaying on autopilot even though my legs felt like jelly.

Behind me, I could hear Mrs. Caldwell chatting happily again, but I didn’t look back. I couldn’t.

My mind was spinning, I had thrown myself into Ethan’s arms like a fool, and he had pushed me away so gently it somehow hurt worse than if he had been rude.

The shame burned hot in my stomach

I was Ava Montgomery. I didn’t chase boys but for the first time in years, I felt like the powerless little girl again.