Chapter 67 Sixty Seven
Anna looked over Mira’s shoulder. The color drained from her face. “Mira…”
“What?” Mira asked, alarm creeping into her voice as she caught the fear in Anna’s expression.
Anna’s eyes never left whatever was behind her. “…Don’t move.”
Mira’s heartbeat quickened. “What is it?”
Anna swallowed. “ There’s a man behind you. He’s been watching you for over an hour.”
“What?”
“He hasn’t danced. He hasn’t spoken to anyone for long. Every few minutes…” Anna lowered her voice. “…he looks back at you.”
A chill ran through Mira. “Who is he?”
“I don’t know,” Anna whispered
Slowly, Mira turned.
The moment her eyes landed on the man, her breath caught. “…Matthew?”
He stood near one of the marble pillars with one hand tucked into the pocket of his charcoal suit. His dark hair was shorter than she remembered, and the neatly trimmed beard made him look older. More mature.
But it was him. Matthew Hayes. Her ex-fiancé.
He smiled the moment their eyes met. Then he started walking toward them.
Mira couldn’t move.
“What…” she whispered. “…is he doing here?”
Anna looked between the two of them. “ You know him?”
Mira nodded slowly. “ He’s my ex.”
Anna’s eyes widened. “What?”
Matthew stopped in front of Mira, still smiling.
“I honestly thought I was imagining things,” he said.
“Matthew,” Mira breathed.
Hearing his name from her lips made his smile grow.
“It really is you,” he said softly.
“What are you doing here?” Mira asked.
“I could ask you the same thing,” Matthew replied.
For several seconds neither of them spoke.
The orchestra continued playing while guests laughed and danced around them, completely unaware of the awkward reunion unfolding in the middle of the ballroom.
Matthew’s gaze slowly traveled over her emerald gown. “You look amazing,” he said.
“I can’t say the same,” Mira replied coolly.
A quiet laugh escaped him. “Still have a sharp tongue, Mira.”
“You disappeared,” she said, her voice losing its edge.
The smile slipped from his face. “So did you.”
“I waited for you,” Mira continued. It's been three years, and you left me.”
“I know,” Matthew said, his gaze on her softly.
“You stopped answering my calls.”
“You shouldn't have done that,” Matthew replied. His shoulders dropped. “I’m sorry,” he said quietly.
The apology sounded sincere. It unsettled her more than she expected. His eyes drifted toward the direction she’d come from.
“So…” he said, looking back at her. “Did you come here with someone?” he asked
“Yes,” Mira answered.
His gaze followed hers across the ballroom.
“Boyfriend?” Matthew asked.
“No,” Mira answered quickly
“Then husband it is ?” Matthew asked
She let out a humorless laugh. “Absolutely not.”
Something visibly relaxed in him. “Good to know,” he murmured.
Her brows knitted together. “Why would that matter?” she asked.
“It just does,” Matthew replied.
Before she could question him further, a familiar sensation crawled over her skin. Someone was watching. She didn’t need to turn around. She already knew who it was.
Across the ballroom, Salvatore stood beside the mayor, surrounded by politicians and businessmen.
To everyone else, he appeared completely focused on the conversation.
He wasn’t. His attention had settled on Matthew the moment the man approached Mira.
Antonio followed Salvatore’s line of sight before spotting the stranger standing with her.
“…Who’s that?” he asked.
Salvatore didn’t answer. Matthew smiled at something Mira had said. A muscle ticked in Salvatore’s jaw.
Antonio noticed immediately. “Oh…”A knowing smile tugged at his lips. “I know that look.”
Salvatore didn't say a word; his eyes fixed on Mira
Antonio took another sip of champagne. “Poor bastard.”
Salvatore finally looked at him.“What?” he asked flatly.
Antonio nodded toward Matthew. “You’ve got competition.”
Salvatore’s gaze returned to the man standing far too close to Mira.“I don’t compete,” he said calmly.
Antonio chuckled. “Oh really …”His eyes remained on Matthew. “Don't do anything stupid,” Antonio said. his voice serious
Anna looked between Mira and Matthew for another moment. I’ll leave you two to talk,” Anna said quietly.
Mira immediately shook her head. “Anna—”
“You’ve got my number,” Anna interrupted. “If you need me, call me.”
There was a meaning behind those words that only Mira understood.
Be careful.
Anna offered Matthew a polite nod before disappearing into the crowd, leaving them alone.
An awkward silence settled between them. Matthew slipped both hands into his pockets and studied Mira for a moment.
“You’ seem different,” he said.
“So do you,” Mira replied.
He smiled faintly. “I suppose we both have changed.”
Neither of them knew what to say next. Three years was a long time. Finally Matthew broke the silence.
“Would you… sit with me for a few minutes?” he asked. “There’s a quieter area over there.”
He nodded toward a lounge at the edge of the ballroom where several velvet sofas overlooked the dance floor.
Mira hesitated. She hadn’t expected to see him tonight. She definitely hadn’t expected him to walk back into her life like this
“I don’t think that’s a good idea,” Mira said.
“Why?”
She glanced around the ballroom. “I'm not alone”
Matthew followed her gaze before looking back at her. “The man you arrived with?”
“Yes,” Mira answered.
“The one who’s been staring holes through me since I walked over?”
Mira blinked. “You noticed?”
Matthew let out a small laugh. “Mira… I’m not blind.”
She sighed. “It’s complicated.”
Matthew smiled sadly. “Everything with you was always complicated.”
She looked away. “You disappeared before I had the chance to make it simple.”
His smile faded. “I know.” Another silence settled between them. “I owe you an explanation,” Matthew said quietly.
“You owe me more than an explanation. You left without a word. I spent months wondering if you were dead.”
Pain flashed across his face. “I’m sorry.”
“You already said that,” Mira said, trying not to remember those brutal three years alone, thinking if she had done something wrong
“It doesn’t change anything. I know that.” Matthew said” Matthew looked down at the marble floor before lifting his eyes back to hers. “Please.”
His voice was softer this time. “Just give me ten minutes.”
She stared at him. “I’ve replayed that day in my head for three years.”
“So have I,” he admitted.
“I deserve answers.”
“You do. And I deserve the chance to give them. Let me explain, Mira.”
Mira didn’t answer immediately. Part of her wanted to walk away. Another part wanted answers she’d waited years to hear.
She finally nodded once. “Ten minutes.”
Relief crossed Matthew’s face. “Thank you.”
He gestured toward the quieter lounge. Come on.”
Mira followed him through the crowd, unaware that two pairs of eyes tracked every step she took.
Across the ballroom, Antonio watched Salvatore carefully. “…They’re walking away together,” Antonio muttered.
“I can see that,” Salvatore replied.
“They’re heading somewhere private,” Antonio added
“I know,” Salvatore said, his eyes fixed on Mira and the stranger she was with. I
Antonio slowly turned toward him. “You said you don’t compete. You look like you’re about to.”
Salvatore calmly placed his champagne glass on a passing waiter’s tray. “His not a competition; I just want to know who he is.”
Antonio snorted. “Sure you do.”
Salvatore didn’t respond. His eyes never left Matthew. The stranger pulled out a chair for Mira.
She sat. Then he took the seat beside her.
Antonio noticed the way Salvatore’s jaw flexed.“…Sal.”
“What?” Salvatore said
“Relax,” Antonio said, watching him
“I am relaxed.”
Antonio nearly laughed. “No, you’re not.”
“I’ve never been calmer.”
“You’ve been glaring at that poor man for the last five minutes.”
Salvatore’s expression remained unreadable. “I don’t glare.”
Antonio raised an eyebrow. “Really?”
“Am observing to make sure she's fine .”
Antonio shook his head. “Whatever helps you sleep at night.”
Salvatore ignored him. His attention remained fixed on Mira. She was listening while Matthew spoke.
A moment later, she smiled. The genuine kind that made her face light up. Something cold settled in Salvatore’s chest. She hadn’t smiled at him like that since yesterday.
Not once. Yet this stranger had managed it in less than five minutes.
Antonio saw it too. “…Well,” he murmured. Antonio pointed discreetly toward the lounge. She seems to be having fun.”