The event was meant to be simple and That's what was written in the invitation card. A formal announcement dinner celebrating the official launch of the campus partnership with Kingsley Holdings. Press would be present, donors, University executives and Nothing personal Nor emotional.
Amara read the email twice before closing her laptop. Attendance was compulsory for selected final year students and her name was on the list.
She sat back in her chair, When a familiar heaviness settled in her chest this was when she he understood the meaning. Nathaniel and Selene would be there, And this time, there would be no quiet corners, nor soft conversations rather this would be public.
She almost declined, her fingers hovering over the reply button, but something stopped her because running had become a habit lately, and she was tired of it.
So she said yes.
The hall was transformed by evening with chandeliers cast warm light across polished floors, and the hum of conversation filled the space with a kind of rehearsed elegance. Amara adjusted the sleeves of her dress as she stepped inside, suddenly aware of how small she felt among people who looked like to belonged to a different world.
She spotted Nathaniel almost immediately.
He stood near the front, composed and flawless in a dark suit, with Selene at his side. She looked radiant, calm, perfectly at ease as her hand rested lightly on his arm. They looked like exactly what they were supposed to be.
Amara looked away and took her seat among the students, reminding herself why she was there. This was not her story to center herself in and not tonight.
When Nathaniel took the stage, the room became quiet with his speech smooth, practiced, filled with words about growth and opportunity and an applause followed easily.
Then Selene joined him speaking with grace, her voice steady and her smile warm, but yet, as her eyes moved across the room, they paused briefly on Amara.
Not accusatory nor cold rather just knowing.
Amara's breath caught, and she looked down at her hands.
After the speeches, the evening loosened into polite conversations and quiet laughter. Amara tried to remain invisible, speaking only when spoken to, smiling when expected. She was halfway through a glass of water when a voice beside her said her name.
"Amara"
She turned.
Nathaniel stood there, alone.
May I speak with you?"he asked quietly.
She hesitated. Then nodded.
They stepped aside, close enough to hear each other, far enough to be seen. That, she realized, was deliberate.
"You didn't have to come," he said.
"Yes, I did," she replied. "This is part of my academic obligation"
His gaze softened and became still as she glanced toward Selene instinctively.
"She knows," he said before she could ask.
That didn't surprise her. And she's okay with this?
His jaw tightened. "She understands more than you think."
Silence settled between them.
"You look well," he said.
"So do you," she replied, though the words felt hollow.
"Nathaniel," Selene's voice cut in gently as they both turned
Selene stood there, composed as ever,with her expression polite. "The press would like a few photographs."
"Of course," he replied.
She smiled at Amara. "I hope you're enjoying the evening."
"Yes," Amara said. "Congratulations on the partnership".
"Thank you," Selene replied, then added softly, "Take care of yourself."
As they walked away together, Amara felt something settle painfully in her chest. There it was. The line drawn clearly and publicly.
Later that night, as guests began to leave, Amara stepped outside for air because The night was cool, quiet in compared to the noise inside.
She didn't hear him approach.
"I never wanted you to feel invisible"Nathaniel said behind her.
She turned slowly. "I don't feel invisible rather I feel seen in the wrong way."
He winced and said, "I'm sorry"
"I meant what I said before," she continued. "I don't want to be someone's shadow"
"You aren't," he said firmly.
"Then let me go if you care about me at all," she said, with her voice barely steady.
The words hung between them, fragile and dangerous.
Nathaniel looked at her for a long moment as conflict etched into every line of his face. Then he nodded once, "If that's what you need then no problem" he said quietly.
Tears burned her eyes, but she didn't let them fall. She stepped back, then turned and walked away, not trusting herself to look back at all.
Inside the hall, Selene watched from a distance, her expression unreadable.
And for the first time, Nathaniel Kingsley realized that love did not always announce itself loudly but sometimes left in silence.