Mathias struggled to rein in his fury, but the slight tremor in his voice betrayed him. "After what you did to me back then, do you really think a few words can erase it?"
"It’s not that easy!"
As the sharpness in his voice faded, his gaze finally landed on me, lingering for only a second before he strode forward and grasped my hand.
"I already have a girlfriend," he said coldly. "Please don’t say things that might cause misunderstandings for Irene, Miss Cavendish."
At his words, Nathalia’s eyes turned even redder, resembling a camellia battered by the wind and rain.
"In that case… I’ll never appear in front of you again!"
Tears welled up as she turned and ran.
But barely a few steps in, she faltered, her heel catching on the stair’s edge. Her body pitched forward, and a sharp gasp left her lips.
Before I could react, Mathias ripped his hand from mine and rushed forward, his movements swift, almost desperate.
He caught her firmly in his arms.
The fury that had burned in his eyes moments ago had vanished, replaced by sheer panic.
"Nathalia, are you okay?" His voice had softened, lined with worry.
"I’ll take you to the hospital right now!"
Without hesitation, he swept her up into his arms and strode toward the car.
He didn’t look back.
I stood frozen at the entrance of the auction house, the sting of his abandonment settling deeper than the cold night air.
The force with which he had thrown me off wasn’t light. Pain pulsed through my wrist, and when I glanced down, fresh blood seeped through the bandages.
Leaning against the wall, I bit down hard, forcing back the pain, forcing back everything.
Only when the sharp sting dulled to a throbbing ache, did I manage to stand upright again, my breaths shallow and uneven.
I called Mathias. Once. Twice. A dozen times.
No answer.
The auction house, built halfway up the mountain for privacy, was as deserted as my calls. Not a single taxi in sight.
With no other choice, I forced myself to walk, step by agonizing step, down the uneven path.
My fifteen-centimeter heels wobbled against the jagged stone, and my floor-length gown dragged like a dead weight over the rough ground.
The night wind howled through the trees, carrying a fine drizzle that seeped into my skin, chilling me to the bone.
A single misstep. That was all it took.
My heel landed on a loose rock.
The world lurched.