Hailey's pov
The charity auction had been a glittering cage, and the moment we stepped out into the cool night air, I thought the bars had finally lifted. The valet brought the car smoothly to the curb under the museum's grand portico, headlights cutting through the darkness. Roy's hand rested lightly at my waist, Ryan's arm brushing mine—a silent promise that the evening's poison, Pedro's words, was behind us.
We were wrong.
Madison waited near the bottom steps, her white gown catching the spotlights like a beacon, Pedro at her side looking every inch the untouchable billionaire. A cluster of lingering guests and photographers hovered nearby, drawn to the couple like moths to flame. Madison's eyes locked on us the instant we appeared, her practiced smile sharpening into something raw
