Page 67 of Breaking Point

Now I’m in their house with hundreds of people dressed to the teeth in brightly colored silks and jewel-toned suits. My own dress, an emerald ball gown with tulle like petals of a flower, is probably the most extravagant thing I’ve ever worn. A thin golden tiara sits at the braided crown on my hair, lose loose curls spilling down my back.

I spot so many familiar faces in the crowd. Some people stop and chat, others dance and wave from afar. Just as the music swells and the night builds, I spot them.

Skar and Charlotte Benenati.

Skar looks nothing like his father, Tyson, but he exudes the same power and authority. One look might bring a man to their knees. His dark hair, calculating eyes, and web of tattoos only add to the dark air about him.

But Charlotte... Charlotte is stunning.

Her brown hair, previously long and curled, is bluntly chopped at her shoulders, exposing the length of her back. It shows off the dark tattoos sprawling her skin. Tattoos she, and every Prevyain woman, was forced to get. But her eyes have always been her sharpest feature. Green and observant... Quick to notice every detail.

Skar stands behind her, hand skimming her shoulders over her backless navy dress. They’re talking with another couple near the stairs, and for a moment, I watch as they interact. As Charlotte looks up at him. Smiles. Leans in and pats his chest as he whispers something in her ear.

They look- happy. In love. The sight makes my heart swell.

“Ms. Hughes.”

Crew appears behind me. Heat radiates off of him, the tension undeniable, but he must see me looking at them. I glance back for only a moment to see them looking my way, and I panic.

“I need a drink.” I say, twisting to meet his brown eyes. “Please.”

I can’t read the look on his face as he glances at me. It’s almost as if he’s drawing up some kind of exit plan like the night at my mother’s memorial party. But this isn’t something I can avoid forever.

Crew juts his chin behind me, and I turn to see my father across the crowd, gently waving us over. We make our way closer, Crew creating a path.

“Button!” Dad shouts, interrupting the people he’d been talking to to hug me. He draws back, squeezing my shoulder. “You came!”

“Of course I did.”

He smiles, pinching my cheek as his eyes distractedly dart toward Crew. He looks away, turning back to his associates. “I’ve introduced you to my daughter, right?”

I fall into conversation with them easily enough. The small talk and latest social gossip is second nature by now, but when Dad dismisses himself to go to the restroom, I’m left to fend for myself. I steel my nerves as I look across the crowd and catch Charlotte’s eye.

She flashes a small smile, and I try my best to return it. She leans toward Skar to whisper something. He nods, kissing her temple before she strolls this way.

“Will you please excuse me?” I dismiss myself, politely smiling at Dad’s friends before stepping away.

She hasn’t changed much. Her eyes are the same piercing green they’ve always been, and while she still has this fierceness about her, she seems… lighter. Happier maybe. Despite everything that’s happened.

“You look beautiful,” she breathes, and I know from the sweep of her gaze that she means it.

“Thank you. You do too, Charlotte. You always have.”

She smiles again, and another blanket of quiet settles over us before she looks to Crew. “Mind if I steal her away for a minute?”

He smirks. “I could use a word with your husband.”

“He’s all yours,” she says, and when he glances at me as he passes, an unspoken agreement passes between us:

He’ll be here if I need it.

“Steer clear of the hors d’oeuvres, Char,” he teases. “The hosts hired a shit cook.”

Funny, considering they’re hosting.

She rolls her eyes as he strolls off, leaving us alone. “Hi,” I say again because I’m not really sure what else to say.

I’m sorry I didn’t come to see you? I’m hurt that you left? I’m sorry your mother died?

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