Chapter 45: The Dance
(Nova POV)
The room had already gone quiet when Damien stopped in front of us.
All eyes were on him—on us.
The music softened into the opening notes of the first waltz, slow and elegant, strings rising like a tide.
My heart was a war drum in my chest.
I stared at his outstretched hand.
Waited for him to speak again.
Waited for him to say my name.
Instead, his gaze slid past me—just a fraction.
Past my shoulder.
To someone behind me.
A girl.
Tall, blonde, silver dress clinging to her like liquid moonlight. Perfect posture. Perfect smile. The kind of girl who'd never had to wonder if she belonged.
She stepped forward, graceful, confident.
Damien's hand closed around hers.
Not mine.
Hers.
I felt the air leave my lungs.
He didn't even glance back.
Just led her onto the dance floor—smooth, practiced, like he'd done it a thousand times.
The girl's smirk flashed as she passed me—quick, sharp, victorious.
The crowd followed.
