bChapter /bb118 /b

    ra’s bPOV /b

    I watched him, Andre, swirling the champagne ss in his hand, his eyes distant. The party around him buzzed, but he seemed to be tuning it all out. My heart skipped a beat as approached him, my steps light, trying not to draw attention. I moved closer, and as I did, I gave him a little nudge, my shoulder brushing against his. He finched, his grip faltering as the champagne spilled down the front of his white shirt.

    “Oh my God! I’m so sorry, sint I blurted, the words tumbling out in a rush. couldn’t help but panic. “Are you alright?” I quickly looked up, searching bhis /bbface/bb. /b

    Andre’s hand trembled for a split second, the mess on his shit going unnoticed in the midst of his shock. Then, his gaze snapped to mine, his angry scowl softening into somethingb… /bunexpected.

    I could see it in his eyes: recognition. Or rather, the absence of it. He didn’t know who I bwas/b,

    His lips curled into a prin as his eyes gleamed with a touch of amusement. “Don’t worry about it, bmess/b,” he said smoothly, his voice calm but edged with charm. “Besides, I’m sure there are plenty of men here bwho’d /blove a prettydy like you bumping into them.

    I couldn’t help butugh softly, a flicker of relief escaping me. b“/bYou’re too kind,b” /bI said, fluttering myshes in a yful gesture. “Is there anyway I can make it up to you?”

    His eyes sparkled with mischief “How about a dance?”

    Without waiting for a response, his hand was extended toward me. I hesitated only for a heartbeat before slipping my hand into his

    Together, we glided onto the dance floor, the smooth waltz melody filling the room. The floor beneath us seemed to pulse with the rhythm, and couples swirled gracefully around us.

    I had to admit, Andre moved with surprising esse–his dance steps smooth, precise, and confident. Each turn, each dip felt like it belonged, as though this moment had been choreographed to perfection. But none of that mattered to me. My gaze wandered, scanning the edges of the dance floor.

    There. Guards. Watching us.

    I swallowed, the weight of the situation pressing down on me. The guards bwere /btoo close forfort. If I didn’t make my move now, it would be toote.

    “What’s wrong?” Andre’s voice brought me bback /bto the present, his brow furrowing as he noticed my distracted state. “You don’t seem to be enjoying this much. Did I step on your feet?”

    I quickly shook my head. “No, not at all,” I said, forcing a smile. “Just… a lot on my mind.”

    My heart raced. This bwas /bit. My chance. I leaned in slightly, letting the words slip bout /bin ba /bwhisper just for his ears.

    Do you know whom?”

    Andre’s eyes narrowed, confusion flitting across his face. Then, he chuckled, the sound dry and amused. “I don’t. But then again, isn’t that the point of a masquerade bball/b? Should I know you?”

    His words felt like a jolt, ba /bsharp reminder of bthe /bmasks bwe /ball wore in this world. But I didn’t have time for games.

    We twirled again, my back turning just enough to obscure the guards‘ view. I seized the moment. Slowly, I lifted my bmask /bjust slightly–just enough for Andre to see my bface/b.

    His eyes widenedb, /ba sh of recognition striking him like a bolt of lightning.

    “Your” He stumbled bover /bhis words, his anger ring as his gare locked with mine. “You’re Thome’s bGammal /bWhat are you doing here?”

    “Shh,b” /bI hissed, my voice low and urgent “Keep your voice down. We don’t need the guards catching wind of this.”

    He looked at me, his expression torn between fury and disbelief. “What do you want?b” /b

    Tdidn’t hesitate. “I’m here to talk to you, Andre. But we don’t have much time so listen carefully

    He shook his head, his eyes Bathing with defiance, “Forget it. We don’t have anything to talk about.”

    Before he could pull sway, I gripped his hand and his shoulder firmly, not letting him move. “Heep dancing,” Imanded, my voice steely, unwavering “And listen to me.”

    His body stiffened, but after a long, tense pause, heplied. We continued to dance, the soft rhythm of the waltz hiding the tension between us,

    “So, what is it you want to say?” Andre asked, the reluctance clear in his tone. “Make it quick. Father will kill me if he sees me talking to you.”

    I took a deep breath. There bwas /bno more room for pleasantries. “I saw what happened in that alley, Andre: I saw how Danton treated you. And I know it’s not what everyone thinks. He’s not the man you believe him to be.”

    Andre’s body went rigid, his eyes shing with a mix of anger and fear. “No. You don’t know what you’re talking about. My father is a great man. He’s always been good to me.”

    I let out a frustrated breath: “Stop lying to yourself, Andre! Why are you still protecting him?”

    “He’s my father. I have to defend him!” His voice was tight, his words a shield, but his eyes betrayed him.

    “Your foster father,” I emphasized, the weight of the truth settling in the space between us. “Danton adopted you to keep an eye on you. You’re not his son. You’re his pawn.”

    Andre’s gaze faltered for ba /bsplit second, a flicker of panic shing in his eyes before he caught himself “How… How do you know about that?” His voice was almost ba /bwhisper, the bwalls /bhe’d built around himself beginning to crack,

    “have my sources,” I replied, my grip tightening slightly as I tried to hold him in ce. “But that’s not the point. I know byou’re /btrapped, Andre. I know you want out. I’m offering you ba /bbway /bout. Trust me.”

    He blinked, looking lost, like a man caught between two worlds. He said nothing for a long momentb, /band I could feel the tension growing thicker between

    LIS..

    But then he bfinally /bspoke, his words cold and hard. “No.b” /b

    I stared at him, disbelief flooding my system. “So you’d rather stay with him? Stay trapped in this life bof /bblies /band control?”

    He sneered, bitterness in his voice. “You’re ba /bGamma I’m a rogue. We’ll never be on the same side.”

    “We have a shared interest,” I said, my voice firm. “bDon’t /bthink of me bas /byour enemy for now. We both want out of this. I can help you, Andreb.” /b

    But he cut me off sharply. “How? How can you help me? bYou /bcan’t go to Danton and blecture /bhim on being a father. No one can help me. This is my fate. My destiny.”

    I wanted to say something more, but the music ended, the final note hanging in the bair /bas the dance came to an abrupt stop.

    Andre’s face hardened as he jerked his hand away from mine, his eyes filled with finality. “That’s it. Don’t talk to me again”

    Without another word, he turned on his heel and started to walk away, leaving me standing there, my heart pounding in my chest.

    I bit my lip, frustration boiling inside me. It was going to take more bthan /bjust words to change his mind.

    I took ba /bdeep breath, lifting my skirt as I rushed toward him, desperate. “Wait!” I called out, my voice breathless.

    I caught up to him near the edge of the dance floor, but he was already surrounded by guards.

    One of them stepped forward, his voice icy. “General Danton requests your presence

    b2/3 /b

    Andre stiffened, his face draining of color. The feat was unmistakable as he lowered his head, his the low and reluctant.

    I moved forward, but the guard’s arm shot nut, blocking me. “Miss, the dance is over.

    Ignoring him, i

    Locked my pair on Andre’s bback/b, my heart racing “bPlease /bjust think about it. Come Red meter, okay?”

    He stepped for a moment, his fists clenched by his side. Then, his voice came low and measured enjoyed the dance, but that’s where it ends. Don’t

    hear /bme again.

    With that, he walked away, the guards surrounding him like a wall, leaving me standing there, helpless.

    And just like that, he was gone.