A Dance With The Past

The music swelled, a delicate symphony of violin and piano filling the grand ballroom. The glow of golden chandeliers bathed the room in soft light, casting a dreamy haze over the elegantly dressed guests who swayed in perfect harmony. It was a scene from a fairytale, a perfect evening for a celebration.

Aurora felt like an outsider.

She stood at the edge of the ballroom, fingers curled around the delicate stem of a champagne flute, watching as the laughter and whispers of high society swirled around her. The clinking of crystal glasses, the rustle of silk gowns, the subtle exchange of glances—it was all a performance.

And Cassian was center stage.

He moved effortlessly through the crowd, commanding attention without trying. His presence was magnetic, his suit tailored to perfection, every movement exuding the quiet confidence of a man who belonged in this world.

And then there was Eleanor.

She was stunning in a navy silk gown that hugged her figure, her blonde waves cascading down her back in perfect, effortless curls. She looked every bit the part of the woman meant to stand beside Cassian. Elegant. Poised. Untouchable.

"Aurora shouldn't care" she mummured.

She had told herself a hundred times that this was just another event, another gathering of people she barely knew, another reminder that Cassian's life had moved on without her.

Then why did it feel like the air was being squeezed from her lungs every time he looked at her?

Because he did.

Over and over again.

A stolen glance. A lingering stare. A flicker of something—something unresolved— something left unsaid, hidden in his stormy gray eyes.

She should walk away.

But she didn't.

It seemed like a sticky situation.

"You look like you're contemplating an escape," a familiar voice murmured beside her.

Aurora turned to find Julian standing there, his sharp green eyes filled with amusement. He swirled the amber liquid in his glass lazily, leaning casually against the column beside her.

"Not quite," she replied, forcing a small smile. "Just enjoying the view."

Julian's smirk deepened. "Ah, yes. The view of your ex-fiancé dancing with his bride-to-be. A truly delightful sight, I imagine."

Aurora exhaled sharply. "You always did have a way of making things sound worse than they are."

"I only state the obvious." He took a slow sip of his drink before tilting his head toward her. "So, are you going to tell me why you're really here?"

Aurora stiffened slightly. "Eleanor invited me."

Julian gave her a knowing look. "That's not an answer."

Before she could respond, movement in the center of the room caught her attention. The waltz had ended, and Cassian was making his way toward her.

Her heart stuttered.

Julian let out a low chuckle. "Well, this should be interesting."

Aurora barely had time to react before Cassian was standing before her, his presence stealing the air from the space between them.

"Aurora." His voice was deep, controlled, but there was something beneath it—something strained.

She met his gaze, forcing herself to stay composed. "Cassian, what are you doing?"

He extended his hand.

"Dance with me."

Aurora's breath caught.

Around them, guests murmured, eyes flickering toward them with interest. The weight of their stares pressed down on her, but Cassian's expression remained unreadable, his hand still outstretched.

Her mind screamed at her to say no. To walk away.

But her heart—her foolish, traitorous heart—betrayed her.

Her lips spelled "yes"

Slowly, she placed her hand in his.

The moment his fingers curled around hers, warmth spread up her arm, sending an unwelcome shiver down her spine. He led her to the dance floor with ease, pulling her into position as the orchestra began another waltz.

His touch was light on her waist, his grip firm around her hand. The music swayed, and so did they.

For a moment, it was as if time rewound itself.

The years melted away, and she was eighteen again—dancing under the stars, laughing as Cassian twirled her, whispering promises against her ear.

But they weren't eighteen anymore.

And he wasn't hers to hold.

"This is a mistake," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.

Cassian's jaw clenched slightly. "Then why are you here?"

Aurora swallowed hard. "You invited me."

"You could have ignored it."

She let out a quiet laugh, though it lacked humor. "And yet, here we are."

Cassian's grip on her waist tightened for the briefest moment.

"I never wanted to hurt you, he said, his voice lower now, you have to know that"

"Then why did you?"

"Aurora," he started, voice lower now, rougher.

She cut him off before he could say anything more. "Why did you ask me to come?"

Cassian exhaled sharply. His gaze flickered to her lips before returning to her eyes. "Because I needed to see you."

Aurora's breath hitched.

For a split second, the rest of the room faded—the chatter, the music, the watchful eyes.

It was just them.

Him. Her.

And the weight of all the things they never got to say.

"Eleanor won't like this"

Cassian's Jaw tightened, " she won't say anything "

"That doesn't mean she won't think it"

His grip tightened round her waist, " let's not talk about Eleanor now"

Her voice was barely audible. "And what do you see?"

Cassian's thumb brushed over the back of her hand, a touch so brief she almost thought she imagined it.

"Everything I lost," he admitted.

Her chest ached and raced.

The music began to slow down , signaling the end of the dance.

Aurora let go first, stepping back quickly, needing distance—needing air.

Cassian's expression was unreadable, but she could see the war in his eyes. The pull. The hesitation.

She turned away before he could say anything else, before she could do something she would regret, before she would be betrayed by her heart.

But as she walked away, she could still feel his eyes on her.

Watching.

Waiting.

And for the first time since she arrived, she realized she wasn't just here for closure.

She was here because, deep down, she wasn't sure she ever let him go.