The grand ballroom was a kaleidoscope of opulence, with glittering chandeliers casting soft golden light across the room. Dignitaries, tycoons, and socialites moved through the space, their laughter and idle chatter creating a symphony of power and wealth. In the center of it all stood her, masked and enigmatic, her mere presence commanding respect and fear.
She wore a sleek black gown that clung to her figure, the long train trailing behind her like shadows she could never escape. The mask concealed much of her face, but her eyes-sharp and distant-pierced through anyone who dared to meet them.
Ezekiel spotted her the moment she entered. He’d been invited to the event under the guise of business, but his true purpose had always been singular: to find her. For months, he’d been chasing shadows, collecting scraps of information that all led back to this mysterious figure. And now, finally, she was within his arm’s reach.
His heart pounded as he watched her glide through the room, exchanging curt nods and brief conversations. She was different now-colder, more detached. But it was undeniably her.
Ezekiel bided his time until she stepped out onto the terrace, away from the prying eyes of the crowd. He followed her, his footsteps soundless on the marble floor.
She leaned against the balustrade, gazing out at the city lights. The cool night air stirred her hair, and for a moment, she looked almost serene.
“Why did you come here?” his voice cut through the silence like a blade.
She didn’t flinch, but her posture stiffened. Slowly, she turned to face him, her expression unreadable behind the mask. “You shouldn’t be here.”
“And yet, here I am,” Ezekiel said, stepping closer. His voice softened, tinged with desperation. “I’ve been searching for you-for months. Do you know what it’s been like, thinking you were gone? And now you’re standing here, pretending like nothing happened.”
Her eyes narrowed, a flicker of irritation crossing her features. “I don’t owe you an explanation.”
“But you do,” he insisted, his tone rising. He took another step, closing the distance between them. “I’ve been drowning, Daisy-”
“Don’t call me that,” she snapped, her voice sharp as a whip.
Ezekiel froze, her words cutting deeper than he’d expected. His jaw clenched, his hands curling into fists at his sides. “You can hide behind that mask all you want, but I know it’s you. The burns, the way you move… you can’t erase who you are.”
She turned away, her gaze returning to the city. “You’re mistaken.”
Ezekiel couldn’t hold back anymore. He reached for her arm, gently but firmly pulling her back to face him. She didn’t resist, but her body was rigid, her defenses up.
His eyes scanned her face, lingering on the scars visible beneath the edges of the mask. Slowly, he raised a hand, his fingers trembling as they hovered near her cheek. “Let me see you.”
She caught his wrist before he could remove the mask, her grip like iron. “Don’t.”
“Why?” he demanded, his voice breaking. “Are you ashamed? Of the scars? Of what happened to you? You don’t have to hide from me, Daisy.”
Her expression didn’t waver. “I’m not hiding. I’ve moved on.”
The words were a dagger to his chest. His hand dropped, and for a moment, he looked utterly defeated. But then something inside him snapped, and before he could stop himself, he pulled her into his arms.
She didn’t struggle, but she didn’t reciprocate either. She stood there, cold and unyielding, while he clung to her like a man grasping at the edge of a cliff.
“I don’t care what you’ve become,” he murmured, his voice thick with emotion. “I don’t care if you hate me or if you want nothing to do with me. I’ll take whatever pieces of you you’re willing to give, because I can’t let you go. Not again.”
For a moment, the weight of his words hung between them. She felt the heat of his breath against her neck, the tremor in his hands as they held her. A part of her wanted to soften, to let him in, but the walls she’d built were impenetrable.
“Let me go,” she said quietly.
Ezekiel hesitated, his arms tightening briefly before he released her. She stepped back, putting distance between them.
“You’re wasting your time,” she said, her tone devoid of emotion. “Forget me, Ezekiel. It’s better that way. Besides, I don’t know why you care.”
As she turned to leave, he reached out again, grabbing her wrist. “No.”
She looked back at him, her eyes cold.
“I won’t give up on you,” he said firmly. “Even if it takes the rest of my life, I’ll prove to you that you’re not as far gone as you think you are.”
She yanked her arm free, her voice sharp as a blade. “Don’t follow me.”
With that, she disappeared into the shadows, leaving Ezekiel alone on the terrace.
Ezekiel stood there for what felt like an eternity, his heart aching with a mixture of hope and despair. He clenched his fists, his nails digging into his palms as he whispered to himself, “She’s alive.”
But the question remained: how much of the woman he loved was still there?
In the distance, the sound of shattering glass echoed through the ballroom. The event had taken a turn, and chaos was unfolding inside. Ezekiel turned, his resolve hardening.
If she wouldn’t let him in, he would force his way into her world. Whatever it took.