235 Gala Night

(Winona)

As Jayden and I descend the grand staircase, arm in arm, I can’t help but admire the sparkling crystals hanging from the ceiling, casting shimmering reflections across the room.

The place is studded with high-profile people, all dressed in their finest, as waiters expertly weave through the crowd offering canapés and champagne.

The buzz of conversation fills the air, and I know there is more to come along with the red carpet entry.

“Looks perfect, doesn’t it?” Jayden murmurs in my ear, his arm tightening around me.

“Yeah,” I say, letting my eyes sweep over the glittering scene below us. “Almost too perfect.”

He chuckles softly. “You’re still looking for Judy, aren’t you?”

I laugh, but there’s no real humor in it. “You know me too well.”

We make it to the bottom of the staircase, and I scan the room again. No sign of her. Maybe she won’t come after all.

A part of me feels relieved, but another part—an admittedly smaller, more cynical part—knows better.

Judy wouldn’t miss bei