Rowan couldn’t keep his eyes off Lila. The sound of Serena’s chatter faded into the background as he watched her tilt her head back slightly, laughing at something Nathan said. Her hand brushed his arm, a gesture that made Rowan’s stomach twist.


    It was as if the world around him ceased to exist. The hum of the gala, the clinking of glasses, the murmured conversations—all drowned out by the image of Lila standing beside Nathan Harper. To everyone else, they looked like the perfect couple.


    “She’s really laying it on thick, isn’t she?” Serena’s voice cut through his thoughts. Her tone was sharp, bordering on smug. “You’d think she’d at least wait a decent amount of time before flaunting her new… whatever that is.”


    Rowan didn’t reply, his jaw tightening. He knew Serena was trying to rile him up, but the sight of Lila with Nathan was doing that all on its own.


    “I need some air,” Rowan muttered, stepping away from Serena.


    “Don’t be too long,” she called after him, but he was already weaving through the crowd, his gaze fixed on Lila.


    ---


    Lila felt Rowan’s presence before she saw him. The hairs on the back of her neck prickled, her body instinctively tensing. She turned her head slightly and spotted him approaching, his expression unreadable but his eyes burning with intensity.


    Nathan noticed her change in demeanor and followed her gaze. “Is that him?” he asked quietly.


    “Yes,” she said, her voice tight.


    Nathan stepped closer, lowering his voice. “Do you want me to handle this?”


    “No,” Lila said quickly, though her heart was racing. “I’ll take care of it.”


    Nathan hesitated but nodded, staying close enough to intervene if necessary.


    Rowan stopped a few feet away, his posture stiff. “Lila,” he said, his voice low.This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.


    “Rowan.” Her tone was polite, but there was an edge to it.


    “I didn’t think I’d see you here,” he said, his gaze flicking briefly to Nathan.


    “I didn’t realize I needed to clear my schedule with you,” she replied coolly.


    Rowan’s lips pressed into a thin line. “So this is what you’ve been up to? Moving on so quickly?”


    Nathan raised an eyebrow but didn’t speak, letting Lila handle the situation.


    Lila’s eyes narrowed. “I don’t see how my life is any of your concern.”


    “It is my concern,” Rowan snapped. “Or at least it was, until you decided to—”


    “To what?” Lila interrupted, her voice sharp. “To leave? Because you asked me to, Rowan. Or did you forget that part?”


    Rowan faltered, the reminder cutting through his anger. But he quickly recovered, gesturing toward Nathan. “So what’s this, then? Didn’t take long for you to find the next rich guy, did it?”


    Lila’s cheeks flushed with anger, her hands clenching at her sides. Before she could respond, Nathan stepped forward, his voice calm but firm. “You should leave her alone.”


    Rowan’s eyes narrowed. “And who are you to tell me what I should do?”


    Nathan smiled faintly, the kind of smile that wasn’t meant to be kind. “Someone who has no patience for men who can’t handle their own mistakes.”


    The words hit Rowan like a slap, but instead of backing down, he stepped closer. “You don’t know anything about us.”


    “I know enough,” Nathan replied smoothly, his tone steady. “I know she deserves better than whatever this is.”


    “Stop,” Lila said sharply, stepping between them. She looked at Rowan, her eyes blazing. “You don’t get to do this, Rowan. Not here, and not now.”


    Rowan stared at her, his chest heaving, his emotions churning between anger, guilt, and something he couldn’t quite name.


    Nathan placed a hand on Lila’s arm, a gesture of reassurance. “Come on,” he said softly. “We don’t need to stay for this.”


    She nodded, casting one last glance at Rowan. “Goodbye, Rowan.”


    She turned and walked away, her head held high, Nathan by her side.


    ---


    Rowan stood frozen, the sound of the gala buzzing faintly around him. He watched as Lila disappeared into the crowd, her gown trailing elegantly behind her. Nathan glanced back briefly, his expression unreadable, before escorting her out of the room.


    Serena appeared at his side, a glass of champagne in hand. “That was… dramatic,” she said, her tone laced with amusement.


    Rowan didn’t reply.


    “You should be glad she’s gone,” Serena continued. “You deserve someone who actually appreciates you.”


    He turned to look at her, his eyes cold. “I think I need to be alone.”


    Without waiting for a response, Rowan walked toward the balcony, the cool night air hitting him as he stepped outside. His chest tightened as he gripped the railing, his mind racing with everything he’d just seen and heard.


    He couldn’t shake the image of Lila walking away with Nathan Harper. And for the first time, he wondered if he had truly lost her for good.