Chapter 5: The Fire Between Us

Ariana couldn't tear her eyes away.

Leila, the girl who once climbed rooftops with her, was now in Damien Blackwell's arms, moving across the ballroom like she belonged in his world. But Ariana knew better—Leila wasn't like them. She wasn't the type to be swept off her feet by money and power.

So why was she letting him hold her like that?

Why was she… smiling?

Ariana's grip tightened around her champagne glass.

"You're staring," a voice murmured beside her.

She turned sharply to find Ethan Harrington, another heir from one of the elite families. He was tall, effortlessly charming, with sharp green eyes that saw too much. Ariana had grown up alongside boys like him—calculating, dangerous in their own way.

"I wasn't staring," she lied.

Ethan smirked, swirling the drink in his hand. "You're not a very good liar, Montgomery."

Ariana ignored him, but her eyes flickered back to Leila.

Damien had pulled her closer, whispering something in her ear. Whatever he said made Leila laugh, tilting her head back in amusement. Ariana felt something hot curl in her stomach—anger? Annoyance? Jealousy?

No. That wasn't possible.

Leila was just a friend.

A friend she had abandoned.

Ariana swallowed hard and forced herself to look away. It shouldn't bother her. It didn't matter.

But as the night continued, something shifted.

Damien didn't leave Leila's side.

The boy who had never once spared a glance for scholarship students was now treating Leila like she was the only girl in the room.

Whispers started to spread.

Is he serious?

Why is Damien with her?

She's not one of us.

Ariana heard every word.

And then, to her horror, her mother appeared at her side, lips pursed in disapproval. "What is that girl doing here?"

Ariana stiffened. "She's a student here. She was invited."

Her mother scoffed. "That's not what I meant. Look at her—throwing herself at Damien Blackwell. How desperate."

Something inside Ariana snapped.

"She's not desperate," she said sharply. "She's worth more than half the people in this room."

Her mother's gaze turned icy. "You are embarrassing yourself, Ariana. You will not associate with her again. Do you understand?"

Ariana clenched her jaw.

Across the room, Leila caught her gaze—just for a second. There was no warmth there. Just a quiet, knowing challenge.

You walked away from me. Don't act like you care now.

Ariana looked down at her glass.

For the first time, she wondered if she had made a mistake.

Because Leila wasn't waiting for her anymore.

She was stepping into a world that Ariana had once run from.

And Damien Blackwell was leading the way.