Chapter 36

Nina’s POV

Standing at the gate of the grand ballroom, I clenched my fists, struggling to contain the frustration building up inside me. I had been here for more than five minutes with Mr. Bernard by my side, while the bouncers stood in our way, refusing to let us in. It was absurd—completely ridiculous—that they couldn’t recognize who I was. They seemed to think I was pretending, faking my identity. I took a steadying breath, preparing to make my move, when a sleek black car pulled up to the curb, and I saw them—Jordan and Alexa.

My heart twisted. Jordan and I had once shared a life, but now that felt like a distant memory, clouded by betrayal. He stepped out with Alexa at his side, the same woman who had shattered my world. They looked at me with thinly veiled disgust, as though I was nothing but a piece of dirt beneath their feet. Without so much as a greeting, they turned to the guards, ignoring me as if I were invisible.

“Welcome to the party, Mr. Jorda