*Loveth's POV*
The gala was winding down, but my pulse wasn't.
I stood outside on the balcony, letting the night air calm the swirl inside me. High heels off. Glass of wine in hand. My face still held the "I belong here" mask, but inside, I was unraveling.
Then he came. Of course, he did.
Ethan leaned against the railing beside me, sleeves rolled up, the top two buttons of his shirt undone like he wasn't just casually setting hearts on fire.
"You disappeared," he said quietly.
"Needed air."
"You handled yourself well tonight."
"I was faking it the entire time."
He looked at me then—really looked. Not like he was assessing. Like he was seeing.
"Still," he said, "they bought it. That's what matters."
I turned to him. "Do you ever stop pretending?"
He hesitated.
"Only when I'm with you."
That stopped me. My fingers tightened around the wine glass.
There it was—that shift. The moment things change, silently and permanently.
I looked up at him. "Don't say things you don't mean."
He stepped closer, voice softer now. "I don't waste words, Loveth."
Our faces were inches apart. The world felt quieter. My breath caught.
I wanted to lean in. I did.
But then I heard the door creak behind us.
It was Miracle.
Of all people.
She stepped out, blinking like she'd just witnessed something.
"Hope I'm not interrupting," she said, voice sweet and suspicious.
Ethan stepped back. I hid my expression behind my wine glass.
And just like that…
The moment passed.
Almost.
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