Axel's POV
I was half-listening to the gentleman's chatter, nodding politely every now and then, but truthfully, I had no idea who he was or what he was talking about. My mind had wandered until my eyes landed on something—no, someone—that made everything else fade into the background.
A woman in a sleek black gown entered the room, her hair cascading naturally down her back. Her face seemed to glow under the soft lighting as she walked with an elegance that stole the breath from my lungs. I blinked, struggling to comprehend why she was here. I hadn't expected her at all.
"Excuse me," I said abruptly to the gentleman, managing a polite smile before heading toward the dining table.
"Axel!" Lana, my cousin, waved at me enthusiastically and ran over. She looked thrilled, though I couldn't quite focus on her—my attention kept slipping back to the woman who had just walked in. Cora Davis.
