Sophie nudged her gently, eyes twinkling with mischief. "That's Ethan Calloway."
"I know," Lena murmured, barely above a whisper. Her gaze hadn't left him since he walked in.
"He's back to take over Calloway Holdings," Sophie continued, her tone light but purposeful. "Their father passed away a few months ago. The company's been in chaos ever since. His brother practically begged Ethan to return."
Lena blinked, finally tearing her eyes away to face Sophie. "How do you know all this?"
Sophie gave a knowing smile, swirling the champagne in her glass. "Let's just say I read more than fashion blogs. And certain names tend to pop up when they come back into town… especially when they look like that."
Lena rolled her eyes, but a flicker of something unfamiliar stirred in her chest. Ethan Calloway—once a popular classmate who was surrounded by female classmates from all classes all the time—was now standing across the ballroom like he belonged to another world entirely. And now, apparently, the future of a billion-dollar empire.
******
The moment Ethan entered the ballroom, he quietly scanned the crowd. Conversations buzzed, music played, and glasses clinked—but he didn't notice any of it.
And then he saw her.
Lena.
She stood near the center of the room, her figure framed in soft golden light, the crystal chandeliers casting a delicate shimmer over her. And for a moment, Ethan forgot how to breathe.
She looked like the Lena he remembered—yet also someone entirely new. The girl with quiet eyes and thoughtful silences had become a woman cloaked in elegance and quiet strength. Her black gown fit her like it was made only for her, its sleek silhouette clinging to every curve with subtle grace. Under the lights, the fabric caught a soft sheen, like moonlight wrapped in silk.
Her dark hair was pulled into a loose, elegant updo, soft tendrils framing her face and exposing the gentle slope of her shoulders, the delicate curve of her collarbone. Every line, every movement she made, was effortless. Controlled. Dignified.
But it was her eyes that stopped him cold.
They were still beautiful—but different. The spark he once knew had faded. The girl who used to smile so easily was gone. In her place stood a woman shaped by the tough, polished world of business.
Still her, Ethan thought. Just stronger.
He wasn't the only one who noticed her. He noticed the hungry stares from the men around her—young executives, wealthy heirs, and sharp-suited professionals who couldn't hide how their eyes lingered on her curves, the graceful way she moved, and the effortless elegance she carried.
Ethan's jaw tightened.
She didn't seem to notice. Or maybe she just didn't care. Either way, it only made her more captivating. More impossible to ignore.
And then, as if pulled by an invisible thread, her gaze found his.
Her eyes widened—just slightly. Recognition flickered across her face.
She remembers him.
Ethan felt his pulse shift, steady and sure. He didn't hesitate.
He started walking toward her.
Lena blinked, suddenly aware of the rising noise around her, the swell of music and conversation suddenly fading into a distant hum. She saw him move—tall, broad-shouldered, his suit cutting a sharp figure as he strode through the crowd. His eyes never left hers.
Is he… walking toward me?
Her heart began to race before her mind could catch up. Ethan Calloway. The effortlessly popular classmate from high school—the one always surrounded by people, laughter, and attention. The kind of boy who felt worlds away from her even then. Untouchable. Out of her league.
He was coming closer.
She straightened unconsciously, unsure if she should smile or speak or simply vanish. Her fingers curled slightly at her side. Her breath caught.
And Ethan…
Ethan continued to walk towards her and Sophie. He didn't stop until he stood directly in front of them.
"Lena," he said, his voice low, steady, and far too intimate for the middle of a ballroom.
She looked up at him, her voice caught somewhere between surprise and disbelief. "Ethan."
His lips curved into a quiet smile. "It's been a while."
And just like that, everything else in the ballroom faded—except for them.
Ethan continued to walk toward them, his gaze locked on Lena, his steps calm and deliberate. He didn't pause, didn't glance around, didn't hesitate.
He didn't stop until he stood directly in front of them.
"Lena," he said, his voice low, steady, and far too intimate for the middle of a ballroom.
She looked up at him, her breath caught somewhere between surprise and disbelief. "Ethan."
His lips curved into a quiet, knowing smile. "It's been a while."
And just like that, everything else in the ballroom faded—except for them.
Sophie blinked, casting a glance between the two of them before clearing her throat with dramatic flair. "Wow. Straight to Lena, huh?" she said, folding her arms with a mock pout. "Not even a 'hi' for me? And here I thought I was the charming one."
Ethan turned to her at last, amusement flickering in his eyes. "Hey, Sophie."
"Too late," she said with a playful huff. "You've made it very clear who you came to see."
Lena's cheeks flushed with heat, and she looked away, trying to compose herself. "Sophie," she said under her breath, "don't start."
Sophie grinned, clearly enjoying every second. "What? I'm just stating the obvious."
Ethan watched Lena quietly, a flicker of amusement in his eyes—but he said nothing, letting the moment linger.
But before Ethan could respond, a voice abruptly shattered the moment. "Lena."
Her stomach twisted. She didn't have to look to know who it was. Anthony. Of course he would be here. Slowly, she turned to face him, her body instinctively going still.
"Lena."
The voice struck her like cold water—familiar, sharp, and entirely unwelcome. She didn't need to turn to know who it was. Her posture stiffened, breath catching in her throat before she forced herself to face him.
Anthony.
Of course he would be here.
He looked polished as always in his designer suit, his tie neatly knotted, his smile forced. But Lena could see through it now—through all of it. The charm, the composure, the man who used to be her world. Now, he was just noise.
Her voice was even when she spoke. "I don't want to do this."
"Please," he said, stepping closer, ignoring the growing tension between them. "Just… talk to me. In private. After the auction."
She stared at him, eyes cold and unreadable. "We have nothing to talk about."
Sophie, standing just behind Lena, scoffed and stepped forward. "You've got some nerve, Anthony. Showing up here like this after what you did." Her tone was sharp, loud enough for a few heads nearby to turn. "You don't get to ask for anything. Not after betraying her the way you did."
Anthony's jaw clenched, a retort already forming—but before he could open his mouth, a calm yet commanding voice cut through the tension.
"She said no."
Ethan.
He stepped forward, gaze locked on Anthony, calm but unflinching. His presence was quiet but undeniable, like a silent wall appearing between Lena and her ex. The look in Ethan's eyes made Anthony pause, just long enough to feel the shift in power.
Lena's heart clenched—not just from the confrontation, but from the sudden, awkward spotlight now fixed on them. Guests were beginning to take notice. This was not the scene she wanted to be part of.
Her voice was softer now, laced with quiet frustration. "Anthony, there's no need to wait until the end of the event. If you're so desperate to talk, let's get it over with now."
She started to move, brushing past Ethan, but just as she stepped forward, his hand gently closed around her wrist.
The contact stunned her. Her eyes widened as she looked back at him.
His grip wasn't rough—just firm enough to make her stop.
"Do you want me to go with you?" Ethan asked, his voice low, just for her. "To make sure he doesn't try anything?"
The question caught her completely off guard. Not just his words—but his tone, his protectiveness. It was the first time in years someone had looked at her like that. Like she mattered. Like they were ready to fight for her, without asking anything in return.
Her heart skipped, and her cheeks flushed with heat.
Lena blinked, quickly regaining her composure. "Thank you… but it's between me and him. I can handle it."
Ethan held her gaze for a long moment, reluctant to let go. But finally, he released her wrist. Lena turned and walked away with Anthony. He watched them go, the unease in his chest refusing to settle.