Fateful Connection

ying the opulent ballroom. Champagne flutes clinked, laughter bubbled, and the air hummed with anticipation.

rm through his. Her diamond ring caught the light, wi

n't quite reach his

wept across the sea of faces. He froze, his heart lurching painf

Mad

d-but those emerald eyes were unmistaka

oice cut through his

ok away from Lisa. "Nothing. Just

his line of sight. Her grip on

ocking in a moment that stretched into eternity. A thousand unspoken words passed

's sudden tension, l

her gaze away from Kenneth.

oomed over the speakers. "If I co

now stood, radiant in her designer gown. Kenneth joined he

ent to make," Fiona continued, be

rwater. She watched, numb, as Kenneth raised Fiona'

Lisa's again. The raw emotion in hi

nned the crowd. Her gaze landed on Lisa, recogn

age, accepting congratulations, Lis

ust as she reached the terrace doors, a hand caught h

his voice a mixture

Lisa managed, try

ghtened. "Wait, p

t like a knife. She appeared at Kenneth's side, her

t as if burned. "Fiona, thi

lovely to meet you, Lisa. I don't belie

uth to respond, but movement in the shadows behind Fiona caught her eye. A man with tattoos

ew that stance, that barely c

ly, her eyes darting between K

Fiona's honeyed voice: "Oh, but y

lanced back, catching a glimpse of Kenneth's co

n melted back into the shado

more dangerous than a chance encounter with an old fla