As the auctioneer urged the guests to take their seats, a young man appeared by Nathalia’s side.
I recognized him instantly. He was a notorious playboy in our social circles, one who swapped women as easily as changing ties.
Then, as if on cue, Nathalia looped her arm through his and leaned into his chest, flashing a soft, practiced smile.
And in the next breath, Mathias seized my hand and yanked me into his embrace.
The shards of glass still embedded in his palm sliced into my skin. Pain shot through me, a sharp, searing sting, but he didn’t seem to notice.
His grip only tightened.
His dark eyes, once unreadable, now burned with an intensity so deep that they looked almost black.
A passing waiter noticed the situation and rushed over with bandages. His voice was tinged with concern as he asked if we needed medical assistance.
Only then did Mathias seem to return to himself.
His gaze dropped to my wrist, now bleeding as much as his own, and for the briefest moment, guilt flickered in his dark eyes.
Silently, he took the medicine and gently dabbed it onto my wound, his movements uncharacteristically careful.
A low murmur followed, laced with an unfamiliar softness.
"Irene, I’m sorry. I wasn’t paying attention… I’ll make it up to you."
I didn’t know how to respond.
Then, a hushed murmur swept through the auction hall as a rare treasure was unveiled on stage, a breathtaking emerald necklace, gleaming under the lights.
And under the watchful eyes of the audience, Mathias made a high-profile bid, his actions as extravagant as they were deliberate.
When the auctioneer presented it, Mathias took the necklace himself, stepping behind me to fasten it around my neck. His fingers brushed against my skin, his voice carrying both arrogance and something far crueler.
"I’ve always said I would give the best to the woman I love."
"It was true then… and it will always be true."
Yet, as those words left his lips, his gaze never once landed on me.
After the auction ended, I excused myself and stepped into the restroom, letting out the breath I hadn’t realized I was holding.
But when I emerged, I came to a halt.
Nathalia stood before Mathias; her eyes rimmed with unshed tears.
Her voice trembled.
"Mathias, I never… I never meant to hurt you. I just…."
"Enough!"