's

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hum of a live string quartet in the background. It was the kind of event I used to dream abo

crowd. The sharp heels of my shoes dug into the soft grass with every step, but I barely noticed as

," someone

ancée. Poo

pity or judgment get to me. But then, like a magnet pu

ainst his arm. My stomach twisted, but I forced myself to walk past them. I wouldn't give them the sa

g. But the crowd had already noticed her call, and their

uine. "I'm so glad you could make it," she

venly, keeping my

air, my very presence. "You look... nice," she sai

lied, refusing to

and a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth.

I could hear her. "It's brave of you to come, considering ever

gne flute tightened,

l. "It's just that some people aren't meant to be in the spotlig

refused to let her see it. "Is there a point to

int at all. I just thought yo

d softly, their gazes darting between us like they were watching a show.

oug

d commanding. Only for me to see Damian standing a few

"Damian," she said, her

d magnetic. "I wasn't aware this was a stage

recovered. "We were just talking," sh

say a word. "And you, Ethan? Just standing by while your f

ced by a scowl. "This has not

Rachel. "If you have something to say to Mia, say it dire

losed like a fish out of wa

He turned to me and held out his arm.

t of the stares, the judgment, and the humiliation pushed me forward. I sl

dn't care. Damian's presence beside me was a shield, and f

d he opened the door for me, and I slid int

at, I finally broke the silenc

adable. "You don't have to thank me," he

ond. "Why do you keep stepping in?" I asked, my

er, his dark eyes locking onto mine. "Because I can't st

ering for a moment before he pulled back. The air bet

re," he said finally

h, I didn't know what to make of Damian Montgomery, but one thin