Chapter 29

RAINA

Another party. Another auction. As much as I had grown used to these events, they drained me. The constant buzz of chatter, the glittering gowns, the sound of laughter ringing hollow—it was exhausting. All I wanted was to be at home, wrapped in a blanket with Ava’s giggles filling the room. But Dominic had insisted we attend, his reasons vague but laced with enough persuasion to convince me.

The venue was as grand as ever—chandeliers that sparkled like diamonds, walls lined with gilded frames, and the unmistakable scent of money in the air. It was the same crowd, too. The high and mighty of society, gathered under the guise of charity, but really just eager for a reason to flaunt their wealth.

From my spot near one of the ornate pillars, I observed the crowd, my champagne glass untouched in my hand. Dominic was chatting animatedly with someone across the room, leaving me with a rare moment of solitude. It wasn’t peaceful, though. My skin prickled, a strange s