The grand ballroom was alive with laughter and the clinking of glasses, a world away from the storm inside my chest. I stood close to Daniel, trying to force myself to engage with the guests around us, but the weight of everything I’d been bottling up felt suffocating. Ethan was beside us, his tiny hand gripped firmly in mine, as we made our way through the crowd. I could feel Daniel’s hand on my back, his fingers gentle, but I couldn’t escape the distance I felt between us.

“You look amazing tonight, Victoria,” Daniel said, his voice warm as he leaned in close.

“Thank you,” I replied, offering him a...