My heart skipped a beat. What was this? Some idiotic joke? The orchestra struck up a slow, tender melody. Darius walked toward the main table. He was coming straight for me. I began to rise, tangling myself in the folds of my dress, ready to accept his hand.

But he walked right past.

He did not even glance at me, leaving a trail of expensive cologne and icy humiliation in his wake. He approached Simone. She blossomed, not a shadow of surprise on her face, only triumph. She rose gracefully, extended her hand, and he led her to the center of the floor.