Clara slowly turned her head and felt her heart clench. He was there, with his radiant smile and the presence that always sent shivers down her spine. Her first love. But he wasn’t alone. Beside him was a young woman she didn’t recognize, looking at him with admiration in her eyes.
“Is that… her?” Clara whispered, barely audible.
Lila placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. “I’m sorry, Clara. No one knew. I thought…”
Lila’s words trailed off, and everything became a blur for Clara. She watched, helpless, as he took the stranger’s hand and led her to the dance floor. She felt strangely empty, as if something had been torn away from her.
(Clara’s POV)
I couldn’t tear my gaze from him. My feet felt glued to the ground, and I was flooded with sadness, anger, and jealousy. How could he… How could he love someone else?
Their laughter echoed in my ears, each smile they exchanged stabbing me a little more. My whole world was falling apart. I thought back to every moment with him, every promise he made, and now it all seemed meaningless. Tears threatened to fall, but I refused to cry here, in front of everyone.