Chapter 82:
Makenna’s POV:
“Sure, it’s my pleasure, Your Highness.”
With a shy smile, I placed my hand in Clayton’s. My heart pounded wildly, a mixture of nervousness and anticipation swirling inside me like never before.
“Relax.” Clayton’s hand gently tightened around mine, his touch warm and reassuring. His calm demeanor helped steady my racing thoughts.
Our eyes met, and we shared a quiet smile before he led me onto the dance floor. But just as we began to move, Bryan’s sharp, venomous voice cut through the air behind us.
“Did I say you could leave?”
I froze in place, my steps faltering. A moment later, a strong hand yanked me back by the wrist.
“What are you doing?” I looked up, panic rising in my chest, only to find Bryan staring down at me with a twisted smile.
His voice was cold as ice.
“Are you really going to dance with Clayton?”
The memory of his threat from that night when he barged into my home sent a shiver down my spine.
If I danced with Clayton, Bryan might retaliate in ways I couldn’t defend against.
I hesitated, my head lowering as I remained rooted to the spot, torn between fear and defiance.
A voice in the back of my mind urged me not to give in to Bryan, to refuse to live under his control.
But tonight was far from ordinary. As I wrestled with my thoughts, another familiar voice broke the tension.
“Quite the gathering, isn’t it?”
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I turned to see Dominic approaching, his usual calmness undisturbed by the tension between us.
He walked over with an air of indifference, surveying the scene.
His gaze swept across the crowd, finally settling on me with a hint of curiosity. Raising an eyebrow, he asked,
“Why is everyone just standing around? So entertaining?”
Bryan’s annoyance deepened at the sight of him. His tone was sharp.
“What? Are you planning to dance with her too?”
Dominic shook his head lightly.
“I’m not much for dancing. I just wanted to say hello to Miss Makenna Dunn.”
He said my name, and my heart skipped a beat. I looked up at him, instantly on guard.
His eyes met mine, and a fleeting, enigmatic smile crossed his face.
A sense of dread washed over me, warning me that he wasn’t about to say anything good.
Sure enough, in the next breath, he added,
“I left in such a rush last time. Since you’re here, I wanted to ask if you’re okay after that fall in the bathroom.”
His words sent a flush of embarrassment straight to my ears.
That jerk! How could he bring that up in public? I knew he was doing it on purpose.
Remembering what had happened in the bathroom that night, I felt my entire body heat up with shame. I wished more than anything to disappear on the spot.
“The bathroom? What bathroom?” Bryan’s suspicious gaze bored into me as he demanded,
“What did you do in the bathroom?”
Even Clayton’s brows furrowed slightly, his confusion evident as he looked at me, waiting for an explanation.
