Daniel’s pov

“I am his fiancée.”

Ellie's words slammed into me like a physical blow.

The glittering ballroom, the polite chatter, the clink of glasses—all of it faded into a dull hum. Shock, cold and sharp, ripped through me, tearing through my practiced composure.

My mind raced, trying to grasp what she'd just said, trying to make sense of the absurdity.

Fiancée?

The word felt alien, impossible, a stone in my mouth. My eyes snapped to hers, wide with surprise, with a raw ...