lavor to my palate, predominantl

was overly familiar-his touche

is gaze far too understanding. I

trated me. Still, there was an

n't resist. Or perhaps,

ant call. Mr. Johnson sai

ave before turning to me. "Wha

married man. Stay off

e who married his wife bestfri

ling but deep down

yours, my wife was dead and

explain myself

explain yourself, you shouldn't

os

e here knowing my dad will a

t of my dad right?" W

best of him, but I kept him mu

attempted to erase the thought

ided to participate in whatever

night felt excessively silent

ess closing in on me. I had n

I took pleasur

had started with its typical bu

from his hands with a grin, full

serves as another reminder of

I was too soft, to

extended period, pondering if I

ation, aware of how much it wo

ed was to be a source of unwarr

le, resolving that I would go.

ed, af

one vibrated. It was the voice

dear," she started, "I truly hop

vening. "It would be terrible if

aughe

urther. I was familiar with the r

ircles as I was, and her view

cipa

"I'll be there," I replied,

stylish black dress that I was c

e material silky and flowing as

ear amazing. It felt innate, and

gazed when I wal

d everyone's gaze directed at m

cus. I always succeeded in maki

anner in which the guests, a

ould immediately see that Diana

man had never been fond of me

at me that ma

comed me right away. His eyes

ut my presence. "How wonder

g a smile that I wished didn't ap

lla. Her smile wavered as soon

ticularly pleased with my prese

stified in being there, yet i

a as I greeted her

ming". Bella s

d, giving her a small box wrapped

ted to me on m

he opened the package, her fac

d was so rigid it m

, her voice trembling

aze on her. "Are you sure that y

ewhat

e, yet her eyes revealed the tr

was attempting to persuade h

mately, my presence here was du

peeches and friendly remarks.

titude to the attendees for be

ment I wished I

ams started, his tone friendly

"that Bella and I are

e, yet within me, I experienced

cted me more than I expected.

, which I could ne

in the room, my grin never fa

It wasn't solely the announcem

acrificed for the life I was curren

d here. I did not b

ng to the restroom, I couldn'

me. Bella had already slipp

her grin still affixed but failing

resist the persistent

ice prior to seeing her. She

always be present?" she whisp

r presence evokes all those me

e offered tonight... it ser

g to hide my presence. She h

didn't come here to express regr

s to torment you," I remarked,

with your best friend's husban

suffe

ak, but no sound emerged. I move

d her shaking, with her hand

gone," I murmured, my tone lac

Bella. Her spirit mig

ering like a burden, then I turne

es of her

the lights began to flicker. Ini

darkness. Gasping in disbeli

almost right away, a soft buz

es

nding in my chest. A disquieti

cipating to find someone fixing

world had paused for an instan

to deepen, and the chill in th

at someone-or someth

om the darkness. Initially, I

ure drew near, the realizatio

at person w

her of

cognized outline, the commandin

I sensed my heart rate increa

rstand what was occurring. Had

s moment, similar to how he h

gh

completely isolated with this t

to understand why he was here,

and uncertainty seized me firm

This seemed like somethi