Chapter 67. Birthday Party for Mark

Elena’s POV

By the time I arrived at Mark’s birthday party, with Nova by my side, one of the Thompson estates was already full of people. Guests filled the large halls, dressed in expensive clothes, chatting under bright chandeliers that looked older than everyone there. As soon as I walked in, the room went quiet. I felt eyes turn toward me. Conversations stopped. Glasses paused mid-air. Then I saw Mark’s parents notice me.

His mother froze, her wine glass shaking in her hand. She stared at me from head to toe, like she couldn’t believe what she was seeing. Mr. Dalton beside her went stiff, his face turning pale.

“No… that’s not possible,” she murmured. “Elena Grey?”

I gave a small nod. “Good evening, Mrs. Dalton. It’s been a long time.”

Her shock quickly turned into anger. She looked at me over and over again; my dress, my jewelry, my shoes, and laughed sharply. “That’s impossible. The Elena I knew could barely afford food, let alone all this.”