inst the night sky, a massive ston

floor-length black Tom Ford gown. It had no jewels, no sequ

the wide marble steps. Her Christian Loubouti

e pulled up the digital family pass on her phone, scanned it at

deep navies, and silvers. The air smelled of e

It took her less than th

t, wearing a bright, blindingly pink sequined dres

tried to force her way into a conversation with three older women weari

oy. She pushed past the women and marched straight tow

ce. "Thank you so much for giving up your spot. Devontae insisted I represen

She looked at Kyle the way a sc

er. "Devontae was so generous last night. He told me you b

kward. She raised her hand a

. "Your perfume is so cheap and suffocating, it completely ruins the air in here

closed like a fish. She looked around, realizing se

Kyle, toward the far end of the hall wher

ing to speak to herself. "Everyone knows praising that painting

to Elliana. Greed and tri

red, thinking she had the upper ha

vy fabric of her pink dress and pract

A dark, cold thrill ru

sing waiter's tray. She took a slow sip, le

walls. When she reached the arched doorway, she stepped be

ushing her way through a circle of billiona

s pink dress. Her expres

ed her thr

took another sip of champagne,