WHEN SHADOWS FALL

"Isn't that ironic?" I was fiddling with the strap of my satin dress when Sophia's voice murmured in my ear. "This building's biggest event now features the girl who vowed she would never set foot inside."

I glared at her, but there was a little smirk peeking out from the corner of my lips. "It's not amusing."

"It's kind of funny." Leaning back, she examined me as if I were a valuable picture in her collection. "Eva, you seem like you belong here. as if you own the space.

If only it were the case. The cold glass grounded me as my fingers moved over the lip of the champagne flute in my hand. In the glitzy world of Calloway Industries, where everyone carried their money as effortlessly as their luxury clothing, I didn't belong. Yet here I was, a hesitant honored guest at a banquet honoring the debut of my most recent artwork.

the evening's focal point.

"Welcome, ladies and gentlemen!" The faint murmur of talk was interrupted by a voice that roared through the tall atrium. My heartbeat accelerated.

I looked over to the stage, where a well-groomed emcee stood with a microphone. His wide grin, which begged for pricey dental treatment, was directed at the throng. We're here tonight to honor resiliency, innovation, and change. And how better to exemplify such attributes than with the breathtaking creations of Eva Monroe, our featured artist?

A round of applause echoed around the space. I managed a stiff grin and raised my glass in appreciation as Sophia pushed me ahead.

You see? "They cherish you," Sophia muttered.

My pulse thumping in my chest, I said, "They adore the art."

"And now, please join me in welcoming the man behind this evening's success, the CEO of Calloway Industries-Mr. Liam Calloway!" the emcee went on, his voice rising with excitement.

The cheers became louder and echoed off the atrium's glass walls. In an instant, my meticulously planned world began to tilt.

I was unwilling to look. I ought not to have seen it. However, I was deceived by my eyes, which suddenly snapped to the man stepping onto the stage.

Calloway, Liam.

His presence dominated the space, drawing me in from across the sea of glistening dresses and well-tailored clothes. His black hair was brushed back nicely, his physique was wider, and he was taller than I had imagined. His black suit exuded strength, but what really caught my attention was his face, particularly the severe cut of his jaw and those piercing blue eyes.

Then he looked into my eyes.

It took some time. Acting like the affable host, he looked around the gathering first. However, the atmosphere in the atrium appeared to change as his gaze fell upon me. The sounds around me subsided, leaving just my heart's thumping.

A little grin curled Liam's lips. Not the cocky grin I used to hate. This was softer, no. Regretful, almost.

I said to myself, "Don't," but I wasn't sure whether I was making the request for him or for myself.

"Eva?" I was brought back to reality by Sophia's voice, which broke through the fog.

I shoved the champagne glass into her hand and whispered, "I need air," before squeezing through the throng.

A balcony with a view of the city was accessible via the glass doors of the atrium. Grasping the chilly metal railing, I went outdoors into the sharp night air that scorched my face. My mind was still a jumbled mess, and my heart was still pounding.

Calloway, Liam. My blood was boiling at the mention of the word alone. My father's business was destroyed by his family's empire ten years ago, leaving us in ruins. And now, after all these years, he was celebrating my work with a gala.

Behind me, a familiar, low voice said, "What are the chances?"

I tensed up.

With a careful tone, Liam said, "I didn't mean to startle you."

Slowly, I turned to face those electrifying blue eyes again. He was far more destructive up close. His eyes were little lined by the years, but that just made him more attractive. He had changed from the brilliant lad I had known. As a male, Liam had no right to be standing here and talking to me as if we were old friends.

"Liam, what do you want?" My voice was harsher than I meant when I asked.

His hands were casually resting on the edge of the railing as he leaned against it. "I wanted to express my gratitude for your presence this evening."

I gave a sour chuckle. "You believe I'm here to help you?"

His face remained unwavering. "No. I believe you've put in a lot of effort to reach this point. And you are deserving of celebration.

I was taken aback by the earnestness in his speech. I exclaimed, taking a step back, "Don't do that." "Don't act like this isn't just business."

"Eva-"

"No." I extended a hand. "You're not allowed to speak my name that way. Not after everything that your family has done to me.

The slightest glimmer of sorrow flickered in his eyes as his jaw clenched. "My father is not me."

"A handy justification," I retorted.

His stance was no longer casual as he straightened. "You're correct. Yes, it is. However, I'm working to put things right.

The sound of my laughter seemed hollow in the chilly night air. "You believe that commissioning my work and hosting a gala will erase the past?"

"No," he muttered. "But it's a beginning."

We remained there for a minute, our tension heavy and oppressive. I wanted to scream, to demand answers, to take away his cool, collected expression. The worst thing, though? There was a little, betraying part of me that wanted to trust him.

I turned to face the door and eventually muttered, "I shouldn't have come here."

"Wait, Eva-"

Without turning around, I interrupted, "Enjoy your gala, Liam." "You won't get any closer to redemption than this."

Before his voice halted me, I had gone halfway to the exit.

"Eva."

I paused at something in his tone. I turned to see that he had a little piece of folded paper in his hand.

His voice was low as he said, "This isn't about redemption." "The truth is at issue."

His face was inscrutable as he held the paper out to me.

As I accepted it, my fingers shook.

He looked directly into my eyes and added, "Read it if you want to know what really happened."

He turned and went back inside without saying anything more, leaving me on the balcony by myself, with the burden of the past and the hope of answers.