The gala shimmered with gold light, crystal chandeliers, and the low hum of wealthy conversations. Cameras flashed from every corner, capturing the city's most powerful figures as they arrived in their polished cars and glittering gowns.
But Ethan Cole didn't notice any of it.
He only saw her.
Liana Rivera.
Her silver dress moved like liquid light as she walked across the ballroom beside Adrian Hale. She laughed softly at something he whispered, her hand gently brushing his sleeve.
Ethan's breath caught in his chest.
This wasn't the Liana he remembered, the quiet shadow drifting through his mansion, afraid to take up space.This woman was radiant. Self-assured. Completely transformed.
And she wasn't his anymore.
Ethan stepped forward before he could stop himself. The crowd parted around him, whispers rising.
"Isn't that Ethan Cole?""Didn't his company just fall into scandal?""Why is he here?"
He ignored every voice.
His eyes stayed locked on her until she finally noticed him.
For a split second, something flickered across her face—surprise, maybe even pain—but it vanished just as quickly.
She straightened her posture.Turned toward him fully.And her expression went cold.
Like he was nothing more than a stranger.
Adrian glanced between them, sensing the shift."Liana? Do you know him?"
Her lips curved, not a smile, not even close.More like… amusement.
"Yes," she said lightly. "That's Ethan Cole. My ex."
Ex.The word hit him like a punch to the ribs.
A small circle of guests began drifting closer, sensing something dramatic unfolding.
Ethan swallowed, forcing his voice steady."Liana… can we talk? Just for a moment."
She lifted a brow, her tone painfully calm."About what, Ethan? The past? Because I don't live there anymore."
Soft gasps rippled around them.
Ethan stepped closer, lowering his voice."Please. I just need five minutes."
Liana tilted her head, studying him like he was a puzzle she no longer cared to solve.
"Five minutes?" she echoed."You didn't spare me five seconds when I needed you the most."
His hands tightened at his sides.
Adrian shifted subtly, protective, but Liana placed a light hand on his arm—stopping him.
The gesture made Ethan's chest twist painfully.
"Liana," he said again, more desperate than he intended.
She exhaled through her nose, irritated."I'm at an event, Ethan. A professional one. Whatever you're here for, it can wait."
Humiliation burned through him, but he refused to back down.
"Then I'll wait."
Her eyes narrowed just slightly, as though she couldn't decide whether he was pathetic or just stubborn.
"Suit yourself," she said, turning away.
But Ethan couldn't.Not when she looked so… gone.Untouchable.Completely out of his reach.
He moved after her, catching her gently by the wrist, just enough to make her stop but not enough to hurt.
Liana froze.
The entire room went silent.
Dozens of eyes turned to them.Cameras lifted.Phones recorded.
Adrian stepped forward."Let her go," he warned.
Ethan released her immediately, hands raised slightly."I'm not trying to cause a scene."
A cold laugh escaped her."Oh? Because you're doing exactly that."
Her voice wasn't loud, but it carried across the ballroom with sharp precision—each word slicing deeper than the last.
"You didn't care when I cried alone in that huge mansion. You didn't care when I walked through our home like a ghost. You didn't even care enough to show up when I was in the hospital."Her eyes met his, hard and unforgiving. "So tell me, Ethan… why should I care now?"
Every whisper in the room seemed to grow louder.
Ethan felt stripped bare, every mistake exposed beneath the bright gala lights.
"I care," he said softly, painfully. "I always did. I just—"
Liana cut him off.
"No," she said, voice steady. "You don't get to rewrite the story now."
She took Adrian's arm deliberately.
Then, to the crowd, with a polite smile, she added:
"Excuse us. We're leaving."
Adrian placed a guiding hand on her back, leading her toward the exit.
But just before she stepped through the doorway… she paused.
As if she felt him staring.
As if she knew he wasn't ready to let her go.
She didn't turn around.She didn't offer a final glance.
But Ethan took a step toward her anyway, his voice low, fierce, and meant only for her ears—even across the room.
"I'll win you back," he whispered. "No matter what it takes."
She walked away without answering.
But that didn't matter. Because for the first time in months, a fire lit behind Ethan Cole's eyes.
And he wasn't planning to lose her again.