Hailey's pov
The charity auction dragged on long after Pedro’s unwelcome advance, the glittering hall feeling smaller and more suffocating with every passing minute. The chandeliers’ light seemed harsher now, reflecting off too many watching eyes, and the champagne that had tasted celebratory earlier left a bitter aftertaste. I stayed close to Roy and Ryan for the rest of the evening, their presence a shield against the lingering chill of Pedro’s words and the curious glances that followed me.
We smiled for the obligatory photos, bid on silent auction items we didn’t truly want, and made polite conversation with donors who gushed about the team’s comeback or asked Roy about his recovery. But the tension simmered beneath it all, a low hum that only the three of us could feel. Roy’s hand
