Ivy Monroe adjusted the silver mask, taking a deep breath before stepping into the opulent ballroom. The air was thick with perfume, champagne, and the hum of power. She didn't belong here. But when the family business was on the brink of ruin, she had no choice.
Her sister's investor was among these glittering elite, and Ivy had one job: convince him to extend the loan. She had five minutes. The rest of the night was a blur, filled with false smiles and empty handshakes.
As she pushed her way through the crowd, a tall figure suddenly appeared in front of her.
His hand brushed against hers, causing a jolt that ran through her like an electric current. "I don't believe we've met."
The deep, gravelly voice caught her off guard. She looked up to meet dark, piercing eyes behind a mask.
"No, we haven't," Ivy replied, her voice a little breathless.
"I'm Aiden Thorne." He didn't wait for her to respond, instead guiding her toward the dance floor.
Before she could protest, he spun her into his arms. "You don't belong here."
Ivy swallowed hard. He was right.
Her heart thudded against her chest as they danced. His fingers traced a line across the small of her back, and she shivered involuntarily.
"Everyone here has something to hide," Aiden continued, his lips brushing her ear. "Except you. You look like you're running from something."
"I'm not running from anything," Ivy said quickly. But she wasn't sure if she was lying to him… or to herself.
Part 2: The Wild Night
Ivy had no intention of leaving the gala with Aiden. She told herself that. But as the night wore on and the champagne flowed, her defenses began to slip away. The attraction was undeniable—electric, dangerous. She shouldn't be this drawn to him, but she was.
He led her away from the ballroom, the flashing lights of the city fading as they walked into the cool night air. The quiet street was a stark contrast to the noise of the gala, but it felt more real. More honest.
Aiden's eyes locked onto hers, and without a word, he kissed her. It was urgent, as if he'd been waiting for this moment. She didn't hesitate. She kissed him back, their bodies colliding in a frenzy of need.
The rest of the night was a blur—a mix of passion, desire, and a moment of freedom. They never exchanged names, only a lingering kiss and a promise that neither would keep.
As dawn broke, Ivy found herself in a hotel room, the silence between them heavy with unspoken words. She didn't even know who he was beyond his name.
Part 3: Five Years Later
Five years had passed. Ivy had built a life—small, simple, quiet. Her son, Leo, was everything to her. She'd hidden the past, buried it deep where it couldn't harm her. But no matter how far she tried to run, the past had a way of catching up.
Her small bookstore café was busy that afternoon. She was preparing for her next shift when a familiar voice broke through her thoughts.
"Ivy Monroe?"
Her heart skipped a beat. The voice was unmistakable.
She looked up and froze. It was him. Aiden Thorne, the same man who had haunted her thoughts. Only now, there was no mistaking him. His eyes—cold, calculating—locked onto her like a predator sizing up his prey.
Ivy's breath caught in her throat as he walked toward her. His eyes, once warm, were now colder than she remembered. His jaw was clenched, his steps measured, as though he'd come here with one goal in mind.
"I—what are you doing here?" Her voice came out shaky, betraying her calm exterior.
"I could ask you the same thing," Aiden said, his gaze flicking over the room as though assessing every detail. His eyes finally locked onto Leo, sitting in the corner, drawing with crayons. The recognition in his eyes was instant, the flicker of realization passing so quickly, Ivy almost missed it.
Aiden's mouth tightened as he stared at Leo, his expression unreadable. For a moment, he froze—eyes narrowing as recognition flickered, something almost vulnerable crossing his sharp features before the mask returned.
"Who is he?"
The words sliced through the air, cold and demanding, but there was something else in his voice. Anger? Fear? Ivy couldn't tell.
Her pulse quickened. Her throat went dry. She had hoped—prayed—that the past would stay buried. That Aiden would never find out.
But here he was, standing in front of her, the last person she ever wanted to see again.
His gaze shifted from Leo to her, and the weight of his stare felt like it could crush her. "Who. Is. He?"
Ivy's breath hitched in her throat, and she felt the walls of her carefully constructed world begin to crack. The truth was finally here, and she had no idea how to stop it.