[This chapter is dedicated to Angela_Wood_0191! Thank you for your golden ticket, love]
Heather did not allow herself to linger on the words she had spoken to Caius earlier. The temptation to replay the moment, to analyze her tone or question whether she had gone too far, tugged at her, but she pushed it away deliberately.
A shadow of guilt brushed against her conscience—an almost automatic response—but she reminded herself of the truth: he had wounded her in ways far deeper than words could reach.
Whatever she had said, it was a small echo compared to the storm he had caused inside her. She would not carry this guilt like a burden.
The mansion where the party was being held loomed ahead of her. This was Caius's family estate, and tonight she was brought here again.
Heather could see the silhouettes of people moving behind the tall windows. Lights flickered warmly from within. Laughter rang out occasionally—refined and distant, like porcelain chimes.
