Chapter 7
The engagement dinner was held at the Ashford Grand Hotel — the crown jewel of Dominic's empire.
The ballroom dripped with crystal and candlelight. Three hundred guests in black tie milled beneath chandeliers, champagne glasses catching the glow. Everyone who mattered in Astoria was there.
I was told to arrive early. Madeleine wanted me in position before the guests, like a prop to complete the scene.
I wore a simple black dress. No jewelry except the ring on the chain beneath my neckline. My hair was pulled back. I looked nothing like the broken woman who had knelt on the marble floor twenty-four hours ago.
Madeleine found me the moment I walked in. She wore white — bridal, glowing, triumphant.
"Julie! You actually came." Her eyes scanned me from head to toe. "You look… tired. Are you sure you're up for this? If seeing Dom and me together is too painful, you can always leave—"
"I'll stay," I said.
She blinked at my calm. Then recovered with a smile. "Good. Just remember what Dom said. No scenes."
She floated away. I found a corner seat and waited.
Guests filtered in over the next hour. I heard whispers as people noticed me.
"That's Juliana, right? The one who ran away five years ago?"
"She looks different. Skinnier."
"I heard she came back to steal Dominic. Shameless."
I tuned them out. My phone buzzed in my clutch.
Ethan: *I'm walking in now. Don't react when you see me. Let me come to you.*
My pulse quickened.
The ballroom doors opened, and a ripple went through the crowd. Heads turned. Conversations halted.
Ethan Carrington walked in like he owned the building — which, given the scope of Carrington Corp's holdings, he very well might.
He moved with quiet authority. Tall, commanding, impossibly elegant. Every woman in the room watched him. Every man measured himself against him and came up short.
Dominic crossed the room to greet him, hand extended. "Mr. Carrington. I'm honored you could make it."
Ethan shook his hand. "Congratulations on your engagement." His tone was perfectly polite, perfectly neutral. His eyes gave away nothing.
Madeleine appeared at Dominic's side, beaming. "Mr. Carrington, I've heard so much about you. Thank you for coming."
Ethan inclined his head. "The pleasure is mine."
His gaze drifted past them — casual, unhurried — and landed on me.
Nothing in his expression changed. But I saw the subtle shift in his posture. The way his shoulders squared. The silent promise in his eyes.
*I see you. I'm here. They will pay.*
I breathed.
The evening progressed. Speeches were made. Champagne flowed. Dominic and Madeleine commanded the room like royalty.
Then came the slide show.
---
The ballroom dripped with crystal and candlelight. Three hundred guests in black tie milled beneath chandeliers, champagne glasses catching the glow. Everyone who mattered in Astoria was there.
I was told to arrive early. Madeleine wanted me in position before the guests, like a prop to complete the scene.
I wore a simple black dress. No jewelry except the ring on the chain beneath my neckline. My hair was pulled back. I looked nothing like the broken woman who had knelt on the marble floor twenty-four hours ago.
Madeleine found me the moment I walked in. She wore white — bridal, glowing, triumphant.
"Julie! You actually came." Her eyes scanned me from head to toe. "You look… tired. Are you sure you're up for this? If seeing Dom and me together is too painful, you can always leave—"
"I'll stay," I said.
She blinked at my calm. Then recovered with a smile. "Good. Just remember what Dom said. No scenes."
She floated away. I found a corner seat and waited.
Guests filtered in over the next hour. I heard whispers as people noticed me.
"That's Juliana, right? The one who ran away five years ago?"
"She looks different. Skinnier."
"I heard she came back to steal Dominic. Shameless."
I tuned them out. My phone buzzed in my clutch.
Ethan: *I'm walking in now. Don't react when you see me. Let me come to you.*
My pulse quickened.
The ballroom doors opened, and a ripple went through the crowd. Heads turned. Conversations halted.
Ethan Carrington walked in like he owned the building — which, given the scope of Carrington Corp's holdings, he very well might.
He moved with quiet authority. Tall, commanding, impossibly elegant. Every woman in the room watched him. Every man measured himself against him and came up short.
Dominic crossed the room to greet him, hand extended. "Mr. Carrington. I'm honored you could make it."
Ethan shook his hand. "Congratulations on your engagement." His tone was perfectly polite, perfectly neutral. His eyes gave away nothing.
Madeleine appeared at Dominic's side, beaming. "Mr. Carrington, I've heard so much about you. Thank you for coming."
Ethan inclined his head. "The pleasure is mine."
His gaze drifted past them — casual, unhurried — and landed on me.
Nothing in his expression changed. But I saw the subtle shift in his posture. The way his shoulders squared. The silent promise in his eyes.
*I see you. I'm here. They will pay.*
I breathed.
The evening progressed. Speeches were made. Champagne flowed. Dominic and Madeleine commanded the room like royalty.
Then came the slide show.
---