Ximena's POV
The moment I cross the threshold into Kane's house, the overwhelming chaos hits me like a physical force. Music pounds through the walls with such intensity that I feel each beat reverberating through my bones, while the suffocating blend of sweaty bodies and cheap alcohol creates a cocktail of sensory overload that makes my head spin.
For a terrifying second, I consider bolting.
Glenda's fingers interlock with mine, her grip steady and reassuring as she anchors me in place. "Just breathe," she murmurs against my ear, her voice barely cutting through the thunderous noise. "You're absolutely stunning tonight. Keep your chin up and own this moment."
I attempt to summon that confidence, desperately trying to channel the girl who stared back at me from the mirror just hours ago.
But it feels as though every single person in this crowded room has suddenly developed laser vision, all of it focused directly on me.
