The hand he held was the one he could burn the world for
The exams were finally over, and the hotel glittered with music, lights, and laughter for Alax’s birthday party. His closest friends had gathered, Aria among them, mingling easily with the elders who came to give their blessings. The only one missing was Elara.
Ronan sat at a table, glass in hand, his posture relaxed but his eyes restless. They never left the door. He kept waiting — half-expecting her to walk in at any moment, her quiet presence enough to change the atmosphere. But she didn’t come.
He texted her once. Twice. No reply. His jaw tightened, his hand tightening around his glass as he ordered another drink. The party went on around him — Alax dancing with Aria, laughter echoing through the room.
Ronan’s gaze darkened. He lifted his phone, snapping a picture of Alax and Aria laughing together, their closeness obvious. His thumb hovered over the send button, ready to forward it to Elara. But he couldn’t do it. Something inside him stopped. With a sharp breath, he locked the phone and shoved it into his blazer pocket.
“I heard Alax might be engaged to Aria,” one of his friends remarked casually while chewing on a canapé.
