A Love Unseen

ere of Regina Pembly's estate gardens. Regina and her classmates from junior high school were no ordinary teenagers, but y

er tea, Aurora groaned internally, wishing she could be anywhere but here. If it weren't for her grandfather's insist

s to the afternoon sun casting a warm glow over the garden. Its heat w

like something from a fairytale. Aurora took a deep breath, feeling the softness of the grass beneath her feet through h

d tune out the girls chattering endlessl

he group. The ladies of the book club sat in coordinated postures, their faces animated with faux

leader. Known for her beauty and calm authority, Lilah's words always car

n their social circle. She was everything Aurora wasn't-a girl who commanded the room with a single gla

a pause in conversation, her voice dripping with di

fly met Lilah's from across the circle-a fleeting glance

n her eyes. A glimmer of superiority. Aurora quickly lowere

ke advantage of you," Lilah said,

run down her spine. The conversation was shifting-this wasn't just about th

d quiet, her eyes flitting from one girl

ther girl, her voice softer. "We've

hose moments-when you felt like no one saw you, when your words

us. We have to learn to stand up for ourselves, to assert power and dominance. Because if we don't, it

ncess... ord

be cut with a knife. Everyone knew who she m

-doubt washed over her. Has she been letting others define her? Yes.

itely

attering and gathering their things as the tea party came to an end. Cliques reformed, polite gi

nd bright, seemed to close in. The garden lost its glow

curling into herself. She wrapped her arms

h

ror

distant. Sof

d to the tea party. She scanned the garden-just girls

can you

around her faded. Her surroundings dulled at

up. Otherwise, we'll h

t, panic setting in

crack behind her eyes. The garden wavered, colo

th

kne

___

sting to the glaring lights in the room. Her gaz

d?" she

esponse. "We're right here, s

ng a deep breath.

fter, laced with concern. "Are you sure you'r

erfectly fine. You don't need to worry," Aur

a scare. As a matter of fact, my poker-faced son didn't look so good either-and that alon

uch, but before she can rise, she feels a gentle tug on her ha

y?" he asks, his eyes

onds dumbly, ca

ight?" he repeats, the worry l

lesley-is not just a dear friend but the only person she's ever truly loved. He rarely shows emotion, known

eetly, blinking

ay?" Landon says, and once she nods, he takes both of her hands in

?" Axel Wynter, her father, asks again, eye

urora says cheerfully and begins to twirl playfully-only t

y to meet Landon's subtle glare. He flicks her nose gen

irk, "otherwise you'll pass out again-and t

ch earns a round of chuckles from their loved ones

ce-elegant decor, a gentle hum of conversation, and the soft strains of classical music in the backgro

erts, entrées, and sparkling drinks-a glorious spread that would

a chooses to focus on something-or rather, someone-

intensity, perfectly matched by the tailored navy-blue suit that hugs his lean yet powerful frame. His dark hair is

yet?" Landon

s sheepishl

. His voice is low and husky. "I take it you're perfectly

n?" Aurora bl

eir attention toward them, drawn by the earlier commotion and

rry me," Landon says, v

silent. All eye

azes at Landon, her mind reelin

brain? It's like-BAM! Your heart's racing, your mind's

"Peace out, I need a nap." Like when your crush asks you out, and you just stand there frozen, thinking, Is this re

Wynter was e

intimidating, and completely breathtaking. It made no sense,

disbelief, and a wild flutter of nerves. No wonder I passed out, she thought. How's a girl supp

s with him again, noting the soft flicker of e

you lose consciousness again," Landon teased, his lips quirking sligh

s she gazed into his eyes, memories poured in-late-night conversations, si

rmth built on friendship. She saw a subtle promise. Not fireworks,

her left hand and nodded vigorously

he ring onto her finger. Joy surged in Aurora's chest, and

dfathers rushed forwar

g with excitement since learning of Landon's plan. She grabbed her daugh

n Aurora since the first time she called him Grandpa, stepped f

ened for a split second before settling into a neutral smile.

before the room exploded

on the back, managing a small smile. "That's al

ul glance. Both women knew he hadn't exactly been Landon's bigges

aze was fixed on Landon, jaw set tight. He didn't say a word, but the lo

ughter and the clinking of glasses filled the hall. Aurora floated from dance to dance, a vision in a peach-colored gown that shimmered w

use. Everything had changed after she met Landon. She had wanted to grow-for him. And although i

long, the clock struck midnight, and the party began to wind down. H

t, Landon approached. "I can d

driver's already here. You should go home

nodded. "You're right.

oft. He leaned in, brushed he

y step, and she longed to rip them off-but she kept going, back straight, stride graceful. If her m

r my engagement," she muttered

ceptionist called. Aurora waved

n front of her villa. Aurora stepp

ght, Miss Wyn

ith a smile, already h

door. After five steps, her heel snagged on

she could hit the ground, someon

looking up with relief, ex

that met hers

widened i