The Forbidden Throb (Emma and Daniel) novel Chapter 24

Chapter 24

Emma’s POV:

I felt a strange mixture of emotions as I listened to their complaints.

Nicholas being penny-pinching? That was completely unlike him-during ur relationship, he never cared about money at all. If anything, he

used to tease me for being too cautious with expenses.

Though I was curious about what might have changed, I reminded myself rmly, whatever was happening between Nicholas and Megan had

nothing to do with me anymore.

I’d drawn a clear line under that relationship, and there was no point in continuing to eavesdrop on their gossip.

Before Megan could turn around and spot me, I decided it was best to find somewhere quieter. I’d come here to unwind, not to endure an

uncomfortable run-in with my ex and his new girlfriend.

I’d barely taken two steps when a figure blocked my path.

The man before me wore an impeccable white tuxedo that seemed tailored specifically to accentuate his broad shoulders.

Looking up, I found myself face-to-face with Nicholas dressed as a prince. Apparently confident enough in his good looks, he wore no mask- just some decorative accents painted across his features.

Of course, I thought. Just my luck. Speak of the devil and he appears.

“Would you do me the honor of this dance?” he asked, extending his hand toward me with a slight bow.

I stared at him, momentarily speechless.

The sheer dramatic irony of the situation wasn’t lost on me-of all the masked women in this ballroom, he’d approached his ex-girlfriend

without even realizing it.

It was like something straight out of a Shakespearean comedy.

He couldn’t possibly have recognized me behind this mask. If Nicholas knew who I was, he’d surely avoid me entirely-or worse, try to

humiliate me after I’d so publicly ended things with him.

This had to be a coincidence, perhaps drawn to a costume that so perfectly complemented his own princely attire.

Either way, accepting his invitation was out of the question.

Megan was right behind me, and the last thing I needed was to provoke het or create a scene, But opening my mouth to decline would

instantly reveal my identity.

I stood frozen in indecision, desperately searching for an escape route.

Just as I was contemplating a wordless head shake, Megan appeared at Nicholas’s side, her demeanor completely transformed from the complaining woman of moments ago,

She slipped her arm through his, her body language suddenly all sweetness and possession.

“Nicky, there you are!’ she purred, her voice dripping with affection. “I think you’ve mistaken this lady for me. Your princess is right here.”

Nicholas’s gaze lingered on me for just a moment longer before he turned o Megan with a casual shrug. “My mistake,” he said, his voice cool and detached as though he genuinely had mistaken me for someone else.

But Olivia’s hand shot out, gripping my wrist with surprising strength,

“Oh no, you don’t! You’re not abandoning me now. Come on, it’ll be fun!”

“Olivia, I really don’t think-”

Before I could protest, she dragged me toward the forming circles.

“Just try to enjoy it,” she insisted, pulling me along. “Who knows? Maybe you’ll have your own romantic coincidence.”

Reluctantly, I joined the outer circle while men formed the inner one.

As the music played, both circles moved in opposite directions. I kept my yes down, focused on the swirl of my skirts as I walked, silently praying I’d be the odd one out-the extra person left without a partner when the music stopped.

When the music halted abruptly, I looked up and felt my stomach drop.

Nicholas stood directly across from me, a knowing smirk playing at the corners of his mouth.

“What a coincidence,’ he said smoothly. “You again.”

I said nothing, simply extending my hand according to the rules of the dance.

As we began to move together, I maintained my silence, hoping he still han’t figured it out.

But Nicholas had other ideas. “So how long are you planning to keep up this charade of not knowing me?” he asked, his voice low enough that only I could hear over the music.