Chapter 19 - THE SECOND GALA

One year after the champagne incident, Ava returned to the Astor Grand ballroom.

This time the contract read AVA KNOX - EXECUTIVE PRODUCER.

The orchids behaved, the food arrived hot, and staff no longer used the rain entrance.

At 9:31 p.m., she stood beneath the same chandelier where Damian had poured champagne on her.

Lucian joined her.

“You checking the time?”

“Yes.”

“Trauma anniversary?”

“Something like that.”

Across the room, Monica supervised volunteers.

Victoria attended representing a new nonprofit that helped fraud victims untangle stolen identities and debt.

Lucian handed Ava a champagne flute.

She looked at it.

“Brave.”

“I considered water.”

“Coward.”

He smiled.

They clinked glasses.

Then an older waiter approached Ava.

“Ms. Knox?”

“Yes?”

He looked nervous.

“I worked here last year.”

Ava remembered him.

He had been carrying a tray near Damian.

“I wanted to say I’m sorry.”

“For what?”

“I laughed.”

He looked ashamed. “I didn’t know what else to do.”

Ava studied him.

Then said, “Next time, don’t.”

He nodded.

“I won’t.”

Cruelty survived when people mistook silence for safety and laughter for belonging. Ava understood that now.

Later, Lucian found her behind the loading dock eating a blueberry muffin.

He stared.

“You run the event.”

“I know.”

“You can eat inside.”

“I like it here.”

Ava handed him half the muffin.

He took it.

“That is terrible.”

“It’s free.”

“That does improve it.”

She laughed.

Then he reached into his pocket.

Ava narrowed her eyes.

“If that is a ring, I’m leaving.”

“It’s not.”

He pulled out her grandmother’s bracelet.

Restored.

Ava stared.

“I thought the government still had it.”

“They released it to you. Victoria gave it to Naomi.”

Lucian placed it in Ava’s palm.

No speech.

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No condition.

Just something stolen finally coming home.