River was watching her.
Aurora felt it before she even saw it — that unmistakable burn at the back of her neck. She turned just slightly in Keylan's arms, mid-spin, and there he was. Standing near the balcony, his tie loosened, jaw sharp enough to slice glass, eyes locked on her like she'd personally betrayed him by existing.
She lifted her chin, let out a laugh (a fake one, but still), and even leaned a little closer to Keylan just for effect.
And that's when River turned… and walked out.
No drama. No confrontation. Just turned around and left like she was yesterday's stock price.
Two hours later…
The apartment door slammed open so hard, the hallway light flickered.
"Stupid, soul-sucking, Botox-sponsored circus of a party!" Aurora shouted as she stormed in, heels in hand and murder in her eyes. She chucked one shoe down the hall. The other followed like it was in protest. "I wish one of those chandeliers falls on River's stupid head!"
Mia followed right behind her, clutching a half-empty bottle of champagne in one hand and a pack of mini cupcakes in the other. "I didn't even get to pack enough drinks!" she whined, kicking the door shut with her heel. "Do you know how hard I worked to smuggle this bottle out under my coat?!"
Aurora tossed her second shoe with the force of betrayal. "Ugh! You invited someone specially to that party and didn't even come say hey, hi, whatever. Instead, he was out there dancing like a clown in those ugly shoes!"
Mia's eyes widened. "Excuse me? First of all, those are Louboutin x Versace limited edition diamond-encrusted loafers. They cost more than your ovaries are worth on the black market."
Aurora spun around dramatically, hair falling in her face. "Yeah? Well, guess what? They're still ugly shoes",
Mia dropped the cupcakes on the table and snorted. "Okay girl, now you're just verbally assaulting luxury fashion. Why are you so pressed? Huh? Why are you putting your anger on those poor shoes? What did the loafers ever do to you?"
Then she stopped. Squinted.
"…Wait. Hold up." She narrowed her eyes. "Why do you even care?"
Aurora blinked. "Me? Care? Please. I don't care, Mia. He could've danced naked on the chandelier with that red-silk Barbie and I wouldn't blink."
Mia crossed her arms, unconvinced. "Really?"
"Yup," Aurora said, grabbing a cupcake and pretending to examine the frosting like it held ancient secrets. "I don't care who he dances with. Or whispers to. Or touches like he's carving her name into his abs. Nope. Not bothered."
Mia stared. "You're holding that cupcake like it's his head."
Aurora bit into it aggressively. "Coincidence."
"Sure."
There was a beat.
Then Aurora muttered under her breath, "But like… did you see how low his hand was on her back?"
Mia shrieked with laughter. "Aha! GOT YOU!"
Aurora groaned, face buried in her hands. "Ughhhh. I hate you."
Aurora slumped onto the couch. "Fine. Maybe I slightly care. But only like… 2%. Like when your favorite series kills off your least favorite character and you're mad just out of principle."
"Uh-huh."
"But he's still a jerk. With ugly expensive shoes."
"But seriously you need to stay away from that man his dangerous girl,his like a serial killer
Aurora sighed dramatically, picking at the edge of the cupcake." I know but He didn't even look back."
Mia raised a brow. "You sure about that?"
Aurora glanced up. "Wait. What do you mean?"
Mia smirked. "I said what I said. Be careful though"
Aurora sat up. "Mia—what did you see?"
But Mia just grabbed a cupcake, popped the whole thing in her mouth, and walked off toward the kitchen, humming like she hadn't just dropped a bomb.
Aurora stared after her, scowling.
She didn't care.
Not really.
…Right?