Chapter 149
KATYA POV
I stayed there longer than I should’ve—frozen, staring at the empty elevator as if it might spit him back out.
But it didn’t.
He was long gone, probably heading straight to the fourth floor. Straight to the engagent. Straight to the place I definitely had no business being near.
The realization snapped back into myself, and I tore my gaze away, taking a steadying breath before moving forward.
My shoes made barely any noise against the carpet as I walked to the elevator. I pressed the button lightly, almost guilty, as if the walls might judge .
When the doors opened, I stepped inside and hit the button for the fourth floor.
The mont the elevator began to descend, my heart started thumping harder—not from excitent, no—but from the sha of whatever weird behavior I was displaying today.
Wearing a dress to wander around a floor where people were preparing for an engagent.
Hiding from Roo like a coward. Avoiding being seen because what—because I didn’t want him to see looking like this?
I scoffed softly. Where was the plan on killing him?
Truly. "What’s wrong with today?" I whispered, leaning my head against the cool tal rail.
The elevator chid and the doors parted, revealing the fourth floor.
The hallway outside was buzzing—not chaotic like the third floor earlier, but carefully busy. Controlled. Pretty. Softer lights. Softer voices. The scent of flowers everywhere.
I stepped out quietly, making sure my steps were feather-light as I moved further in. Because the last thing I needed tonight?
Miss Stella seeing . I pressed myself to the wall the mont I heard her voice echo from sowhere around the corner.
"No, no, no—don’t put that centerpiece there! It’s supposed to be aligned with the gold runners—who gave you the wrong list?!"
Her footsteps moved fast—sharp, direct, lethal. I flattened myself harder against the wall like I was part of the wallpaper.
Nope. No way. I wasn’t letting her drag into polishing another tray or hauling crates of centerpieces while wearing a bright sunflower dress like a complete idiot.
I peeked around the corner. She was facing away, thank God, directing two decorators who looked like they were about to cry.
I slipped in the opposite direction, practically tiptoeing. The dress swished lightly around my knees, far too loud in my ears.
"This is stupid... I’m stupid... Why am I even here... I’m literally dodging work because of a dress. A dress. Who even does that?"
I crouched slightly and hurried past another open doorway before Miss Stella erged from it.
"I can’t get stains on it," I whispered to myself. "It’s Nonna’s gift. I’m protecting it. That’s all."
Lie.
A stupid lie I kept feeding myself so I wouldn’t have to face the real reason I didn’t want to lift trays or carry boxes or run errands tonight.
Not when I was dressed like.....Like soone who wasn’t ant to be working.
Not scrubbing. Not polishing. Not fading into the background. I swallowed and peeked around another corner, making sure Miss Stella wasn’t there.
She wasn’t.
Good.
I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I’d been holding and straightened up again, heart still beating way too fast.
But then the music hit . A soft swell of strings, distant but rich, drifting from down the hall like the air itself had started glowing.
My steps slowed, sharply turning the corner fully and it was like stepping into another world.
The ballroom doors were propped open just enough for the light to spill out—gold, warm, magical, unreal.
I took one step closer... then another... until the glow painted itself across my skin. My breath caught.
Inside, the room shimred. The chandeliers were dimd to a soft golden haze, thousands of tiny lights dripping down like captured stars.
Every table was dressed in white and gold, flowers spiraling upward in delicate arrangents, glassware glinting like crystal snowflakes.
It looked like a dream. Or a world I would never belong to.
I wondered if I’d taken too long in the bathroom and sohow lost a whole hour—or maybe two—because nothing looked half-done anymore.
Everything was finished. Perfect. Like a scene from a life that didn’t include .
I stepped inside slowly, just past the doorfra, my fingers brushing lightly against the wall as if I needed to feel sothing real to remind myself I was actually here.
People were dressed to perfection but before I could take in more, movent flickered in the corner of my eye.
Two huge, broad and suited n, the kind of people whose footsteps were heavy even when they weren’t moving were suddenly right beside . How I hadn’t noticed them standing there before was beyond .
One of them shifted just enough to block more of the doorway. Both of them looked straight at .
Their expressions were... Not confused. Not surprised.
Just this mixture of annoyance and disbelief—like they couldn’t decide if I was being stupid or if I genuinely had no idea where I was standing.
Their eyes dragged over , not in a creepy way, but in that "oh, this idiot again" way.
"What are you doing here?" the one on the left asked, his tone flat, cold, sharp. Like he already knew the answer and also didn’t care.
The other one didn’t even bother hiding the irritation in his eyes. He knew . Of course he knew .
Everyone in this house probably did. Not because I was soone important—no.
Because I was the enemy’s daughter.
The girl who worked in the shadows. The girl who didn’t belong and was supposed to rember it.
My mouth opened, but nothing ca out.
"I— I’m not—" I gestured vaguely at the hallway. At the dress. At nothing. "I’m just—looking."
It sounded weak even to . The man on the right lifted his brow, unimpressed.
"Looking?" he repeated, like he was tasting the word and finding it stupid. Heat crept up my throat.
"I’m not here for the party," I added quickly, shaking my head. "I’m not— I wasn’t invited or anything."
Obviously. The first man exhaled sharply through his nose, sothing like impatience crossing his face.
"Then you shouldn’t be here at all," he said firmly. "This area is restricted."
Restricted. Like I needed the reminder that this world wasn’t mine.
My fingers curled tightly against the fabric of my dress.
"I know," I murmured. "I’m leaving."
Even though my feet dragged, just slightly. Even though part of had wanted—just for one second—just a glimpse of the world that would shape tonight. Just a glimpse of what I would never be part of.
I stepped back, head lowered, ready to retreat into the hallway.
Ready to sink back into whatever place people like were supposed to stay in.
"Mia care!" The word rang out to and a smile caved it’s way toy face.
Bingo.
†
I promise this is getting to the good part
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