Amara nodded.
“Okay. Thank you.”
She gave her another smile before walking inside.
The moment she stepped into the building, the sound of music grew louder around her. Soft golden lights spilled across the polished black floors, and elegantly dressed guests filled the main lounge, talking quietly over champagne.
Near the side hallway, she immediately spotted a black sign with gold lettering.
VIP Lounge
Amara slowed as she reached the door.
For a moment, she simply stood there.
Then she pulled out her phone.
Her fingers hesitated only briefly before she dialed Elias’s number.
The call rang for several seconds before he finally answered.
“Amara?”
His deep, magnetic voice came through the line, smooth and electrifying at the same time.
A familiar shiver ran down her spine the moment she heard him. It happened every single time he said her name.
She tightened her fingers around her phone and smoothed the side of her dress with her free hand before speaking.
“I’m already at the party,” she said softly, raising her voice just enough to be heard over the music. “I want to go in with you. Where are you? We can meet everyone together.”
There was a brief pause on the other end.
“I’m going to be late. Don’t wait for me.”
Amara’s smile faded.
But she quickly hid the disappointment before it could reach her voice.
“Alright,” she said quietly. “I’ll go in by myself and wait for you to get here.”
Before she could finish, the call disconnected. The sharp beep echoed in her ear.
Amara froze, the phone still pressed to her ear. Her fingers slowly tightened around it, her shoulders going stiff for a brief second.
She lowered the phone, exhaling quietly, and slipped it back into her purse. Her fingers lingered there for a moment, gripping the edge. The tight, unfamiliar ache in her chest twisted, but she swallowed it down.
Lifting her chin, she smoothed her expression with practiced ease. Her hand brushed over her gown, straightening invisible creases. Then, with a small breath, she put on a soft smile.
Instead of stepping into the VIP room, she turned away from the door and walked toward the main party, her heels clicking softly against the floor.
As she passed along the long wall beside the VIP room, a large open window let voices spill out into the quieter hallway.
She wasn’t paying attention at first.
Until she heard her name.
“Yes, Amara. You know… Hawk? She’s his wife now.”
