Chapter 33 Survival

Alicia Davenport I swirled the wine in my glass, watching the deep red liquid catch the dim glow of the restaurant's chandelier. For the first time in what felt like weeks, I finally had a moment to breathe. The weight of the past few days pressed down on me, making this small escape feel even more precious. A quiet dinner alone, good food, good wine—just me and my thoughts. But even as I tried to savor this fleeting moment of peace, reality loomed over me. In just a few days, I would have my engagement dinner. The thought made my stomach tighten. I had imagined this moment before, dreamt about the excitement, the love, and the joy of celebrating such an occasion. But in those dreams, the man sitting beside me had always been Daniel. Not Nicholas Andrieux. I lifted my glass, ready to take another sip, when someone abruptly slid into the seat across from me. I froze. Lowering the glass slowly, I raised my brow at the stranger. "Excuse me, This table is occupied," I said, keeping