Chapter 252: crossing the line

Braelyn’s POV

The ballroom was drenched in gold.

Crystal chandeliers spilt warm light over polished marble floors. Everyone wore smiles on their faces that were too bright and laughed in a way that sounded just a little too rehearsed. Trying to mask their true intentions. The world of business has always been a battleground.

A live jazz band played near the stage, soft saxophone notes curling through the air, blending with the gentle clink of champagne glasses and the low murmur of powerful people making powerful promises. The main event was over, and delegates used this opportunity to mingle and form collaborations.

And I felt like I was slowly disappearing inside it. My social anxiety was teetering on the edge. Although no one was whispering about me. I just couldn’t shrug off the feeling of being watched.

Raphael stood beside me, one hand wrapped around a champagne flute, the other moving in smooth, confident gestures as he spoke to two foreign investors. His voice had that calm authority I’d once admired so much. .

Every now and then he smiled, charming and composed, the perfect public version of a man everyone respected. The perfect husband.

I stood at his side like a decoration, nodding when spoken to, smiling on cue, my fingers curled tightly around my clutch to keep them from shaking. My cheeks ached from holding an expression that didn’t match the heaviness pressing against my ribs.

Then my phone buzzed in my hand. The vibration felt louder than the music. I flinched at the vibration. He gave me a glance, noticing the shift, but didn’t comment.

I ignored him and glanced down, already irritated by the interruption until I saw the name.

Lucien: Meet me at the car park.

My breath caught so sharply it almost hurt.

Of all days.

My hand tightened around the phone as the date dawned on me like a wave I’d been trying to outrun. It was meant to be our anniversary.

Raphael had mentioned this morning, with a soft smile, about plans I had not even pretended to be interested in, but he seemed excited about it. My eyes narrowed at the message that Lucien wanted. I didn’t want to go but my curiosity was pushing me. I had so many questions for him.

A part of me was secretly thrilled because I thought he had left turns out he was still hanging around.

Guilt twisted low in my stomach it felt like I was betraying Raphael, but it wasn’t strong enough to drown out the pull beneath it. It was just one anniversary, my jaw tightened.

Don’t go, my mind warned. He was dangerous, but besides knowing I should be putting distance between Lucien and me, I still wanted to go.

I lifted my gaze slowly to Raphael. He was still talking, unaware of my conflict. He was confident while discussing expansion and partnerships, as if his world wasn’t quietly rotting at the edges. For a moment I just watched him, this man I had once loved so easily, who had broken me in ways that didn’t leave bruises anyone else could see.

My chest tightened. I tugged his jacket drawing his attention.

“I… excuse me for a moment,” I said softly when there was a pause in the conversation.

Raphael turned immediately, concern flickering across his face. “Are you alright?” His gaze studied me closely.

“Yes,” I answered too fast, forcing a small smile. “I just need a little air,” I muttered. Something flickered across his face.

His brows drew together. “We can leave, if you’re tired.” he sincerely said concern filled his voice m

The offer should have warmed me. Instead, it made the guilt dig in deeper.

“No, don’t,” I said, shaking my head. “You can’t abandon the investors. This is important.” My voice softened, gentler than I felt. “I’ll be fine. I just need a few minutes.”

He studied me like he was trying to read something I refused to show him. Then he nodded. “Alright. Don’t be long.”

I smiled again, that careful, practised curve of my lips, and turned before he could see the conflict written all over my face.

I walked toward the hallway leading to the restrooms and kept walking passing the restrooms.

Each step away from the ballroom felt louder than the last, my heels echoing against the marble floor like they were announcing every bad decision I’d ever made. My pulse thudded in my ears as I pushed through the side exit doors and into a corridor that led to the underground car park.

The air was cooler there, heavy with the scent of concrete and petrol. The music from upstairs faded into a distant hum. I stood at the entrance of the car park. My eyes darted around searching for him and then I saw him.

Lucien leaned against a sleek black car, hands in his pockets, head slightly tilted like he’d been expecting this exact outcome. The moment his eyes landed on me, a slow, knowing smile spread across his face.

“I knew you’d come,” he said confidently.

My steps slowed, my heart doing something unsteady in my chest. “What is this about, Lucien?” I asked approaching him with steady steps.

He pushed off the car and opened the passenger door with lazy confidence. “If you want to know,” he said, eyes glinting in that way that always meant trouble, “get in.”

Guilt squeezed my heart once again, remembering how desperately Raphael had been trying to mend the patch between us. I shouldn’t be doing this, my guts told me, but in the end, I walked toward him.

I got into the car. The door shut with a soft click, and he circled around to the driver’s seat. Before he started the engine, I pulled out my phone, my hands not as steady as I wanted them to be, and typed a message.

Lynn: Something came up. I’m not feeling well. Let’s cancel tonight’s plans.

I hit send to Raphael before I could change my mind.

When I looked up, Lucien was already watching me, that unreadable expression back on his face, like he could see every thought I was trying to hide.

And as the engine started and the car began to move, a cold, quiet realisation settled in my chest.

Whatever line I had been trying not to cross all evening…

I just stepped right over it.

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