Elodie hadn’t expected this.

Of all the things that could have happened tonight, the biggest surprise at the gala turned out to be Ivan and Queenie announcing their engagement.

No wonder Queenie had asked her to stay until the end. Maybe she saw Elodie as part of Ivan’s family-almost a sister-and wanted her there to offer her blessing.

Ivan stood at the front of the ballroom, looking out over the crowd with that effortless command he always carried. Even in the shifting play of lights, his gaze found Elodie, tucked away in the shadows of the second row.

She was surprised, he could tell. For a split second, her cool, beautiful features betrayed a flash of shock. But it was gone almost immediately, her expression smoothing back into calm indifference.

Ivan kept his eyes on her, something dark and turbulent in his stare.

Elodie looked back, her face unreadable, refusing to give him any reaction at all.

Finally, Ivan broke into a careless, rakish grin and pulled Queenie close. “Hosting this charity gala tonight is our way of sharing our good fortune. Once the engagement party is set, we hope you’ll all join us.”

Queenie blushed, practically melting against Ivan.

But Ivan’s attention lingered on Elodie.

He’d wanted to see something on her face-shock, hurt, even anger.

But Elodie was just… calm.

He frowned, the movement so subtle no one noticed.

She wasn’t supposed to be like this.

He knew her had known her for more than a decade. Elodie could let go of many things, but when it came to him, he was the one wound she could never forget, never heal.

She cared. He was sure of it.

“Congratulations, Mr. Harcourt! You really have found yourself a gem!”

“Yes, Mr. Jett, you couldn’t ask for a better son-in-law than Mr. Harcourt!” Queenie’s father beamed, accepting every congratulation with open arms.

Ivan finally looked away from Elodie, squeezing Queenie’s waist with a lazy smile. “Thank you, everyone. And don’t forget-you’re all invited to celebrate with us soon.”

Elodie lowered her gaze.

She felt out of place in the midst of all this noisy celebration.

There was a sharp sense of disconnect, as if the whole world was celebrating someone else’s happiness.

Esmeralda was watching her closely, searching for any sign of distress. When she found none, she let out a relieved breath. “Honestly, men are all the same! Not a single one worth the trouble. Elodie, you’re better off shining on your own.”

She’d known Elodie for years-long enough to be a witness to everything.

If Ivan hadn’t ended up in prison all those years ago, maybe things would have turned out differently. Especially when she remembered…

“Did you ever tell Ivan you took that knife for him?” Esmeralda glanced at Elodie’s abdomen, remembering how she’d looked in that hospital bed. “He’s been pushing you around ever since he got out, but that life he has was only saved because of you. How can he be so heartless…”

Elodie reached out and gently squeezed her hand, stopping her from saying

more.

Back then, things had been dangerous. Ivan was reckless, always making enemies. That was how it happened in the first place.

The scar was still there, even now.

Suddenly, a voice cut through the chatter. “Now that Mr. Harcourt and Ms. Jett are tying the knot, what about Mr. Silverstein and Ms. Fielding? When will you two let us share in your happiness?”

Elodie’s head snapped up, drawn back to the present.

All eyes were on Jarrod.

Sylvie, standing at his side, looked startled at first, but then managed a rueful smile. “Isn’t tonight supposed to be about Queenie and Mr. Harcourt?”

Even as she said it, she glanced over at Jarrod.

He just smiled-composed, a touch of mischief in his eyes. “Tonight belongs to Mr. Harcourt. I wouldn’t dream of stealing the spotlight.”

Laughter rippled through the crowd. “That’s true! But Mr. Silverstein, you were bidding on those rings earlier surely it’s only a matter of time!”

Elodie didn’t give it another thought.