Her eyes scanned the room, catching sight of Lucas across the sea of guests. She moved toward him, needing to ensure everything was in order for the night.
But just as she approached, something made her pause.
At the entrance, amidst the swirl of the evening’s crowd, stood Harvey, his sharp gaze scanning the room before it landed on her. Amara’s stomach twisted as she instinctively looked past him. And there he was… Rowan.
His presence was commanding, impossible to ignore, like a shadow creeping across the room.
He was walking with the same confidence as if the event was his own. It sent a chill down her spine. All his enemies in one place. And here Rowan was, strolling in as if he owned the goddamn night. Her heart raced as she weighed the danger of the situation, but despite the risk, she moved toward them.
Harvey’s smile widened as she approached.
“Harvey,” Amara greeted warmly.
“Happy birthday, Amara,” Harvey said, his voice smooth, carrying that edge of warmth he always had.
“Thank you for coming,” she replied, keeping her tone neutral despite the turmoil she felt.
“Of course, we’re friends,” Harvey replied as it was matter of fact.
Amara’s gaze shifted, locking onto Rowan. He was dressed in a navy blue suit, white shirt, and navy pants-almost identical to Vaughn’s outfit from earlier. It unnerved her. How could they possibly match like this without even knowing?
Was it a coincidence?
Yes. A Coincidence!
Rowan’s eyes never left hers. His voice was calm, collected, the familiar dark undertones almost seductive. “Happy birthday.”
“Thanks,” Amara replied, keeping it brief. She could feel the weight of Rowan’s presence, his intensity lingering between them, threatening to pull her in.
“Please, enjoy yourselves,” she said to both of them, forcing a polite smile before turning to escape. As she walked away, she was grateful that no one else had seemed to notice their tense interaction.
Moments later, she caught sight of Alessandro, making his entrance alone. His tall, imposing frame moved through the crowd with ease, but there was something about his stride tonight.. something more intent…
Her heart sank as he came straight toward her, his arms reaching out in a gesture of familiarity. Before she could react, he leaned in to hug her, his scent overwhelming her senses as his arm lightly wrapped around her waist.
The initial shock left her frozen. Just as her body tensed, ready to push him away, she hesitated. The entire room was watching, and appearances mattered tonight more than ever.
But then, in the corner of her vision, she saw Rowan. He was watching her too. His eyes bore into hers, dark with something she couldn’t quite place. And then, a slight shake of his head.. barely perceptible but enough to send a clear message.
Disagreement.
Disapproval.
Amara pulled back from Alessandro, her body stiff. Alessandro’s smile faltered slightly, but he didn’t seem to notice the underlying tension in her movements.
“You’re here,” she said, her voice strained but composed.
He smiled again, oblivious to the firestorm brewing in the room. “Wouldn’t miss it for the world,” he said softly.
Amara exhaled slowly, her mind racing. She couldn’t lose her composure, not now. Not with Rowan, Harvey, and Alessandro all in the same room.
Her father, Vincent, had clearly noticed Rowan’s arrival as well, his jaw tightening with barely concealed disdain.
Isabelle stood by his side, her eyes narrowing when she spotted Harvey as well. The tension was unmistakable, but they remained silent, perhaps for her sake, or perhaps because they understood tonight was not the night for confrontations.
Soon, the evening wore on, and it was time for the cake. Amara felt a knot in her stomach as she stood at the center of the room with Vaughn by her side. The crowd gathered, smiles wide, but beneath it all, she could feel the weight of the various tensions swirling around her.
Vaughn looked up at her with bright, innocent eyes, unaware of the storm that brewed just beneath the surface of the evening. “Mommy, are you ready?” he asked, his small voice cutting through the noise.
Amara smiled, kneeling down beside him. “Of course, sweetheart. Are you going to help me?”
Vaughn nodded enthusiastically, his small hands eagerly reaching for the knife as he stood on his tiptoes to help cut the cake. The sight of him, so earnest and filled with joy, momentarily eased the tension in her chest.
As the candles were lit, everyone gathered closer. Vaughn, in his matching navy suit, took a deep breath and blew out the candles with a huff, his cheeks puffed out in concentration.
Laughter filled the room, the innocent sound momentarily lifting the atmosphere.
“Good job, baby,” Amara whispered, pressing a kiss to his forehead.
He grinned up at her, then looked around excitedly. “Can I eat the first piece?”
Amara laughed softly. “Of course, you can.”
Vaughn’s eyes lit up as he took the small slice she offered and eagerly stuffed it into his mouth, crumbs falling onto his suit. He chewed with a big, satisfied smile, glancing around the room like he had conquered the world.
But even as the lighthearted moment passed, Amara couldn’t help but glance over at her parents. Vincent’s face was tight with suppressed frustration, his gaze frequently flickering toward Rowan and Harvey. Isabelle’s expression mirrored his, her mouth set in a thin line.
It was clear… they were not happy. But they said nothing, merely observing, waiting. Amara knew her parents well enough to understand that they were simply biding their time. Their silence wasn’t approval. It was calculation.
After the cake, the room gradually returned to its usual murmur of conversation, but the charged atmosphere remained. Amara could feel the eyes on her.. Rowan’s gaze, sharp and unwavering; Harvey’s ever-polite smile; Alessandro, lurking somewhere in the crowd. It felt like a chessboard, and she was at the center of a deadly game where every move mattered.
As the guests mingled, Vaughn clung to her side, his small hand tightly gripping hers. Amara felt a deep sense of protectiveness welling up inside her.
This night was supposed to be for him.. for their family. But now, it was turning into something else entirely.
She leaned down to kiss the top of his head again, feeling his warmth. “Are you having fun, baby?”
Vaughn nodded, licking the frosting from his lips. “It’s the best birthday ever, Mommy.”
Amara smiled, but the unease in her chest refused to settle. She cast another glance toward Rowan, his presence always looming, always watching.
“Amara,” Vincent’s voice cut through her thoughts, sharp but polite. He was calling her over, undoubtedly to introduce her to one of the many powerful guests that filled the room. She turned back to Vaughn, who was still clutching his half-eaten piece of cake.
“Baby, stay here, okay? I’ll be back soon,” she said, her voice gentle but firm.
Vaughn looked up at her with his big, innocent eyes, smiling as if everything in the world was perfect. “Don’t worry, Mommy, you go on. I’ll be fine.”
She nodded, ruffling his hair. “Good boy.”
As Amara walked away to join her father, the oppressive weight of the evening clung to her shoulders.
Meanwhile, Vaughn looked around and caught sight of Rowan leaning casually against a corner, and he put his cake down on a nearby table and walked toward Rowan, a smile spreading across his face.