The sea stretched across the dark horizon, speckled with distant lights.
And for the first time in a long while, Celina felt like the sea itself—vast on the outside, yet in silent storm within.
The car now approached the luxurious hotel where the dinner would take place. Golden lights reflected off the bodywork, and elegantly dressed people were already arriving in their gala attire.
Celina took a deep breath and released the sapphire pendant.
She forced herself to remember: she was strong.
Independent.
She would not be brought down without a fight.
When Thor parked and turned to her with a smile, Celina put on the most perfect smile she had.
It was time to wear the mask.
It was time to play, once again, the perfect woman beside the perfect man.
But inside…
Inside, her soul had already begun to bleed.
Thor got out of the car first. He adjusted his perfectly tailored jacket over his athletic frame and came around to open the door for Celina.
She slid out of the car like a goddess falle