The night was supposed to end with the Charity Gala’s formalities, but for Vaelis, it was only the beginning of a deeper shift. The sponsorships had officially turned in her favor, Lucien’s presence loomed in the shadows, and now—her past had come back in the form of the only person who had ever truly cared for her.

Her fingers trembled slightly as she clenched the folds of her rose-pink gown. The girl standing before her had been her only solace in her past life, the one person who had never abandoned her, even when the world had cast her aside.

Elara Wyn.

A name she hadn’t spoken in years.

Vaelis stared at her, memories flashing through her mind like a cruel film. The way her classmates had whispered behind her back, the way they had laughed at her misery, the way she had been pushed aside, forced into loneliness—except for one person.

When the world treated Vaelis like she was invisible, Elara saw her. When others mocked her, Elara stood by her side. When she had nothing, Elara gave her friendship without hesitation.

And now, after everything, she was standing here again.

"Why are you here?" Vaelis finally asked, her voice quieter than she intended.

Elara’s lips parted, hesitant. "I—" She took a step closer, then stopped as if unsure of her place in Vaelis’ life now. "I didn’t expect to see you here, Vaelis. But the moment I did... I had to make sure it was really you."

Vaelis studied her—she had changed, just as Vaelis had. Yet the warmth in her gaze was the same, untainted by the world’s cruelty. It stirred something deep inside her, something she thought she had buried along with her past.

"You disappeared," Vaelis said, a hint of bitterness slipping into her tone.

"I had no choice." Elara’s voice wavered, emotions brimming beneath the surface. "But I never stopped—" She cut herself off, biting her lip before continuing. "I never stopped thinking about you."

Vaelis exhaled slowly, steadying herself. This wasn’t the time to let emotions rule her.

"Come with me."

-----

Vaelis led her to a quiet balcony away from the watchful eyes of the gala attendees. The city lights stretched beyond them, and the distant sound of music felt like a mere echo.

"You look different," Elara whispered.

"I am different," Vaelis replied, resting her hands on the railing. "The person you once knew is gone."

A sad smile. "And yet, you’re still standing here, listening to me."

Vaelis didn’t respond.

Elara hesitated before saying, "I need to know… are you happy now?"

Happiness. The word felt foreign. Had she ever truly known what it meant?

"I'm surviving," Vaelis finally said. "And in this world, that is enough."

Elara’s expression faltered. "That’s not the answer I wanted to hear."

Vaelis turned her gaze toward her. "Then why are you here? Why now?"

Elara swallowed. "Because I couldn't forget you, Vaelis. And because... I think you deserve more than just surviving."

Vaelis felt something tighten in her chest.

Could she let herself trust again? Could she afford to?

The silence stretched between them, charged with the weight of unspoken words.

And then—

A voice interrupted them.

"Vaelis."

She turned to find Adrian Voss standing at the entrance to the balcony, his gaze sharp, unreadable.

For a moment, his eyes flickered to Elara. A flash of something crossed his expression, but it was gone before Vaelis could decipher it.

"Your presence is being requested inside," Adrian said smoothly, though there was an unmistakable edge to his tone.

Vaelis took one last glance at her past before straightening her shoulders.

"I'll find you again," she told Elara.

And with that, she walked past Adrian, stepping back into the world she had claimed as her own.

But as she did, she couldn’t shake the feeling that this was just the beginning of something much bigger.