Chapter 38 Chapter 38
The ballroom was glowing with golden lights. Music floated in the air, waiters moved between the guests with trays of wine and champagne, and laughter filled the corners. Nathaniel stood tall in a black suit, his sharp eyes scanning the crowd. He was the center of attention as always, but tonight he was not alone.
Cassandra held onto his arm, her red gown glittering under the lights. She smiled at everyone who looked their way, her lips painted the color of roses. She looked like she belonged, like she had won.
“Smile, Nathaniel,” she whispered sweetly, leaning close to his ear. “Everyone is watching us. Let them see that we are perfect together.”
Nathaniel’s jaw tightened. He lifted his glass but did not drink. He had invited investors, business partners, and friends tonight. For him, this was not about love or celebration. It was about showing the world he had moved on from Savannah.
Cassandra clung tighter to his arm, her smile widening when she spotted Vanessa coming toward them. Vanessa wore a short glittering dress, her hair curled, and a glass already in her hand. Her steps were unsteady, her laughter a little too loud.
“There you are,” Vanessa said, throwing her arms around Cassandra before almost spilling her drink. “My dear friend, you look amazing. Like the queen of the night.”
Cassandra smirked and whispered, “As I should.”
Vanessa giggled and turned to Nathaniel. “And you, Mr. handsome boss, you don’t waste time, do you? Savannah barely out of the picture and here you are with Cassandra shining by your side.”
Nathaniel’s face darkened, but he said nothing. He hated when people mentioned Savannah’s name.
Cassandra quickly stepped in, her voice sweet but sharp underneath. “Don’t ruin the night, Vanessa. Savannah is gone. She doesn’t matter anymore. I am the one here now.”
Vanessa raised her glass and drank, her eyes glinting. “Yes, yes, I know. Savannah is gone. But sometimes… I wonder.” She lowered her voice but not enough. “What if she’s not really gone?”
Cassandra froze, her nails digging into Nathaniel’s arm. Her smile stayed, but her heart skipped.
“What do you mean by that?” Nathaniel asked coldly, his eyes narrowing.
Vanessa laughed nervously and waved her hand. “Oh, nothing, nothing. Just wine talking. You know me, I drink too much and my tongue runs.”
But Nathaniel’s eyes were sharp, his stare cutting through her. He leaned closer. “If you know something, Vanessa, say it.”
Vanessa blinked, realizing she had said too much. She quickly shook her head. “No, really, I don’t. Forget it. Savannah is gone. She is not coming back.” She forced a laugh, trying to change the topic. “Let’s drink, let’s dance, let’s forget the past.”
Cassandra pulled Vanessa aside quickly, her nails digging into her friend’s wrist. “Are you drunk out of your mind? Why would you say that in front of him?” she hissed.
Vanessa winced. “Relax, Cass. I was just talking. He won’t suspect anything. Besides, what can he do? Savannah is gone, and even if she is alive, she won’t dare show her face again.”
Cassandra’s eyes flickered. Deep inside, a small seed of fear grew. She had worked too hard to erase Savannah. The last thing she wanted was for Nathaniel to even think about her.
She forced a smile and walked back to Nathaniel, slipping her hand through his arm again. “Don’t listen to Vanessa. She doesn’t know what she’s saying. She had too much to drink.”
Nathaniel did not reply. He lifted his glass and stared at the red liquid inside. His mind was restless even if he didn’t show it.
The party continued around them. Music grew louder, laughter filled the air, but Nathaniel barely heard it. For the first time in weeks, Savannah’s name had been spoken in his presence. And no matter how hard he tried to shut it out, it lingered like a shadow he couldn’t shake.
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Meanwhile, Vanessa stumbled to the bar for another drink. She sat, mumbling to herself. “If only Cassandra knew… Savannah is stronger than she thinks. Maybe one day…” Her words faded into the music as she sipped again.
Across the hall, Cassandra kept her perfect smile in place, but her mind was racing. She couldn’t allow any slip, any mistake. If Savannah ever returned, everything Cassandra had built with Nathaniel would collapse.
No. She would not let that happen.
She leaned closer to Nathaniel and whispered sweetly, “Dance with me.”
Nathaniel hesitated, then nodded. He placed his hand on her waist and led her to the dance floor. People clapped, eyes following them.
But while Cassandra basked in the attention, Nathaniel’s mind was far away. His grip was strong, his steps steady, but his thoughts were somewhere else.
Savannah.
For the first time since she left, he wondered… was she really gone? Or was there something more?
Cassandra smiled, laying her head on his chest. She thought she had won. She thought the night was hers.
But in the corner, Vanessa’s drunken words still echoed in the air, heavy and dangerous.
And Nathaniel’s eyes, though calm, burned with a question he would not rest until he answered.