The gala hall was bathed in soft, golden light, casting a warm glow over the elegant crowd. Malia stood at the far end of the room, surveying the sea of well-dressed businessmen, investors, and dignitaries. Tonight was supposed to be a celebration—a chance to promote the latest expansion of her business, to show her strength and her independence. But it felt like the weight of every decision she had made, every betrayal she had endured, was pressing down on her shoulders.
Despite her calm, composed exterior, her mind kept drifting to the one person she couldn't seem to shake from her thoughts: Nixus.
