We enter the ballroom and my feet pause at the threshold. My God! I’ve stepped into a fairytale. My eyes dart around every corner of the room, trying to take in everything at once. The entire décor is done in white and gold. Dozens of round white tables surrounded by golden chairs are spread across the large room. The center of each table is adorned with artfully created displays of golden candles surrounded by white roses. White drapes with thin gold patterns flow down windows and pillars. The chandeliers overhead are all gold, the floor beneath my feet, white marble. An orchestra is playing soft music from one side of the hall. The entire setting is spectacular and beautiful.

My eyes search for Damien and I finally find him. He’s standing with an older woman and Celia Parker on one side of the ballroom, receiving guests.

“Why is she with him?” I hiss out.

Gabe turns to look at Celia. “I’m sure she’s here to maintain appearances. She was his late brother’s fiancée and the gala is hosted in his memory as well.”

Celia’s hand creeps up Damien’s chest and my lips tighten. Damien casually moves her hand away, all the while conversing with the person in front of him. And just like that my anger evaporates and I focus my attention back on my husband.

Even from afar, I can see the fine lines around his mouth. His smile looks forced, his eyes cold and his jaw tenses every now and then when he’s in between greeting guests. I wish I were standing next to him, holding his hand and comforting him for being in a situation I know he doesn’t want to be in. However, right now, I can only watch from a distance while he struggles with his new reality.

My eyes wander over him and damn he looks so good! His crisp white tuxedo shirt stretches across his chest. The black suit fits him like a second skin and displays the rippling muscles beneath to perfection. His skin would be warm, heated underneath and I long to touch him like I used to. His absence is like a constant ache inside me. He looks to be in perfect shape though. Knowing him, he must have hit the gym the first opportunity he was allowed to do so. I smile thinking about that. He’s still the same, yet so different in so many ways and I can’t help but again compare the two versions of him I know now.