Chapter 83

"Alexander, you're gripping my hand too tightly," Isabella said. Alexander didn’t respond, but his gaze remained fixed on the corner. The others around them mistook their exchange for flirtation. Flirting while dancing had a certain thrill to it. I still remember the day Alexander and I danced together. His teasing made my cheeks flush, and in an instant, the distance between us seemed to disappear, as if we'd crossed an unspoken line. If it hadn’t been for Isabella's phone call that night, we might have ended up in perfect harmony. But unfortunately, there are no “what ifs.” Isabella was the insurmountable barrier between us. As the first song ended, guests began pairing off to dance. Alexander seemed distracted, releasing Isabella's hand. Isabella, however, quickly grabbed his arm again. "Alexander, aren’t we going to continue?" she asked. "I’ve done what I promised you," he replied flatly. Isabella bit her lip in frustration, unwil