Chapter 46. Because You’re Here

Layla’s POV

The auctioneer’s voice boomed through the ballroom, creating a lively atmosphere that sent a ripple of anticipation through the crowd.

People in elegant attire shuffled in their seats, their hushed whispers blending with the rustling of silk gowns and polished shoes against the marble floor. I took a deep breath, feeling my tension ease as the attention shifted from me to the lavishly adorned stage.

The crowd was a cacophony of excitement, and I felt it—the lingering gazes from the audience, a watchful sea of eyes hungry for any opportunity to critique or judge.

I shook off the feeling as Ezra and I made our way to our assigned table, where his name was engraved on a gleaming plate. The area we were in was less crowded, as if we had managed to carve out a small oasis amid the throng.

The lights in the hall dimmed, casting a soft glow that transformed the stage from vibrant gold to rich blue and passionate red. Each color seemed to pul