Chapter 10

AVA

The day of the family’s event arrived far too quickly. I dressed carefully, putting on the black heels that Liam had bought for me. I chose a simple yet elegant dress, hoping it would be enough to hold my own in front of Clara and the rest of the family. My nerves were a tangled mess, but I knew I had to face this with as much dignity as I could muster.

As we descended the grand staircase together, Liam held my hand tightly, his presence a reassuring anchor. The mansion was abuzz with activity, the sound of laughter and chatter filling the air. We stepped into the main hall, where the guests were already mingling. I could see Clara across the room, her eyes narrowing as they landed on us.

We made our way through the crowd, exchanging polite greetings and forced smiles. The room was filled with opulence, the guests dressed in designer clothes, their conversations laced with wealth and privilege. I felt out of place, a mere imposter in their world.

Clara approached us, a sly smile p