Elena’s Point Of View

I bit the inside of my cheek until the taste of blood anchored me. My lips curved again—slow, forced, delicate, as Graham’s gaze flicked up to mine, his attention tightened around me like a noose. Did he see? Could he see through me?

“He’ll never know you came just from hearing me breathe.”

I nearly choked on the air I swallowed. Around us, glasses clinked, silver cutlery scraped against porcelain, the sound of a toast rippled at the far end of the hall. I ...