74

ZARA'S POV

The place was a sight to behold, a perfect harmony of elegance and extravagance. It was beautiful, but no amount of beauty could cloak the tense atmosphere that seemed to crackle beneath my skin; I could feel it, an unsaid storm looming above us.

Michael stood beside me, his hand brushing mine in a silent reassurance as we watched the guests take their seats. I wasn't aware if he knew how tightly I was clutching on to the edge of my clutch, but today's events had my nerves raw.

I tried to block out the tight knot in my chest as Lena came into view, an intricate creation of lace and pearls that shimmered in soft light. The smile across her face glitter, though for one who knew her like me, the cracks around it stood a mile off.

Mr. Klein reached us, his face split into this all-so-familiar fatherly grin. That made my stomach churn.

"Zara," he said warmly, placing a hand on my shoulder. "I'm glad you're here. It means a lot to Lena, you know."