Chapter 6 – When the Past Clashes with the Present

The room had been buzzing with conversation, laughter, and the smooth melody of the orchestra. But the second Daniel stepped into the ballroom, everything else faded into white noise.

Ava's breath caught in her throat.

He was exactly as she remembered tall, sharply dressed, with the same piercing gaze that had once made her believe in forever. But now, it wasn't warmth or longing in his eyes.

It was something darker. Something possessive.

She barely had a second to react before Adrian shifted beside her.

The air between them changed instantly his grip on her waist tightened, his stance subtly shifting, protective, territorial. Ava felt it before she even turned her head.

Adrian had noticed.

And he did not like what he saw.

Ava's pulse pounded as Daniel's gaze flickered to Adrian, then back to her. The weight of his stare was suffocating.

Say something. Move.

But she was frozen.

"Long time no see, Ava." Daniel's voice was smooth, controlled but there was a sharp edge beneath it, a quiet demand.

Adrian exhaled slowly, a dark, almost amused smile playing on his lips. "You know him." Not a question. A statement.

Ava forced herself to breathe. Daniel what are you doing here?

Daniel's lips curved slightly, but his eyes didn't hold a trace of humor. "I could ask you the same thing. His gaze flicked to Adrian's hand on her waist. "Didn't expect to find you engaged.

The way he said it like it was a joke, like he didn't believe it for a second made something burn inside her.

Before she could answer, Adrian spoke first.

"Funny, because I don't remember needing your expectations," Adrian said smoothly. He tilted his head slightly, studying Daniel with that cold, unreadable gaze that could dismantle a man in seconds.

The tension snapped tight.

The men stood face to face, silent but communicating in a language only men like them understood power, dominance, and the fight for control.

Ava's fingers curled into the fabric of her dress. This was spiraling too fast.

"I didn't come here for a scene, Daniel finally said, but the flicker of tension in his jaw told a different story. "I just wanted to see you, Ava.

Adrian's grip on her waist didn't budge.

Ava exhaled slowly, forcing herself to step forward, out of Adrian's grasp. The loss of warmth was instant, but she ignored it.

"Daniel," she said carefully, "this isn't the time or place."

His eyes darkened. "Then when, Ava?"

Before she could answer, Adrian took a slow step forward, slipping effortlessly between them, blocking Daniel's view of her.

"She's busy," Adrian said simply. Commanding. Dismissive.

Ava felt Daniel stiffen.

A muscle ticked in his jaw, but he let out a breath, taking a step back. This isn't over, he said, his gaze flickering to Ava one last time.

Then, he turned and disappeared into the crowd.

Ava swallowed, turning to Adrian. You didn't have to do that.

Adrian smirked. "Didn't I?"

Her chest tightened. I can handle my own past, Adrian.

His gaze dropped to her lips for the briefest second before flicking back to her eyes. "Then prove it."

And just like that, he turned and walked away, leaving her standing there heart racing, mind spinning, and completely off balance.