Ellen’s search for Mason had led her through the crowded ballroom, past groups of guests engaged in conversation, and down quieter halls where the sound of the party was muffled by thick walls. Her nerves were on edge, her heart beating faster with each step as she thought about the possibility of Mason and Aubrey sneaking off together. Where could they be? she wondered, her eyes scanning every corner of the room.
She had already checked the area behind every large, ornate flower vase and the far corner of the room—an ideal hiding spot for anyone wanting privacy—and now her steps had carried her to the balcony. The air was cool here, a nice little getaway from the fancy party inside, but Ellen didn’t pause to enjoy it. Her mind was still fixated on the idea of finding Mason before Aubrey could pull any more tricks.
Ellen felt her shoulders relax just a bit as she stepped forward and found it empty. At least they’re not here... She let out a small breath of relief, though it was fleeting. But who knows if they were just here, together, only moments ago... The thought gnawed at her, and she quickly shook her head, not wanting to let her imagination spiral out of control.
Stop it, Ellen, she scolded herself. You’re not doing yourself any favors thinking like this. She gave one last glance over the balcony railing, her eyes tracing the garden below, before turning around, ready to leave this place behind and continue her search elsewhere.
But as she turned, Ellen stopped dead in her tracks. Standing in the doorway, blocking her path, was none other than Edrick. His tall frame was silhouetted by the light from inside, and his piercing gaze was locked directly on her.
Ellen’s heart skipped a beat. She swallowed hard, trying to keep her expression neutral, but she couldn’t shake off a weird feeling.
"Edrick," she greeted, forcing a smile as she met his gaze. "I didn’t expect to see you here."
"Ellen," he replied smoothly, his voice as composed as ever. "Likewise."
Ellen’s thoughts raced as she looked at him. In truth, she wasn’t all that surprised to see Edrick at a party like this. Of course, he would be here. He probably knew Gerald’s parents, the hosts, just as well as she did. It made sense that he would be invited. Still, the fact that he was here, now, standing in front of her, made her feel uneasy.
Edrick’s eyes seemed to linger on her a moment longer than she would have liked. "Are you here alone?" he asked, his tone casual, but the question made her tense.
Ellen shook her head quickly. "No, of course not," she replied. "I came here with Mason."
Edrick raised an eyebrow, his lips curling into a slight smirk. "And where is that man of yours now?"
Before Ellen could even begin to answer, Edrick took a step closer, closing the gap between them. Her breath hitched as he got closer, and her heart racing with the sudden closeness.
"I didn’t know how many times you’ve heard this before," Edrick said, his voice soft yet insistent, "but you look absolutely gorgeous tonight."
Ellen felt her cheeks flush with a mix of surprise and awkwardness. She wasn’t sure how to respond at first, so she quickly muttered, "Thank you." Then, without thinking, she added, "You’re the first one to say that tonight."
The moment the words left her mouth, she bit her lip, instantly regretting it. Why did I say that? she mentally kicked herself, feeling embarrassed. She didn’t want to give Edrick the impression that his compliment meant anything to her, but there it was—she had practically handed him the perfect chance.
Edrick’s smile widened, a glint of amusement flashing in his eyes. "Really? Even Mason hasn’t said anything?"
Ellen shifted uncomfortably, shrugging slightly. "Well, it’s Mason," she said, trying to brush it off. "He doesn’t say much."
At that, Edrick’s expression darkened, his playful demeanor fading into something more serious. He stepped even closer, his eyes locking onto hers with an intensity that made her more uneasy.
"I’ve asked you this before, Ellen," Edrick said quietly, his voice taking on a more solemn tone. "But I’ll ask again, because I think it’s important." He paused, watching her closely. "Are you really happy with Mason? Are you really happy with this marriage?"
Ellen’s breath hitched at the unexpected question. She hadn’t seen this coming, and the way he asked, the way he looked at her, made her heart race. She stammered, unsure of how to respond. "O-of course I am," she said, though the words came out shakier than she intended. Her eyes flicked away from his, searching for something, anything to keep her grounded, but the tension in the air was overwhelming.
Edrick didn’t seem convinced. He took another step forward, his presence now looming over her. "Really?" he pressed, his voice low and insistent. "Because this is the second time, Ellen. The second time I’ve found you wandering around a party like this, alone, trying to find him."
Ellen’s eyes widened, and she instinctively looked down, her mind racing to come up with an explanation. "It’s just a coincidence," she said quickly, though she wasn’t sure if she even believed her own words.
Edrick shook his head slightly, as if he wasn’t buying it. "You don’t have to pretend with me," he said, his voice softening but still holding that edge. "You don’t need to protect Mason’s image. If you’re not happy, if you want out of this whole marriage, you can just say it."
Ellen’s heart pounded in her chest, her eyes glued to the floor. She didn’t know what to say, how to respond. Her mind was a whirl of confusion and uncertainty. She couldn’t deny that her marriage to Mason was complicated, but admitting that it was rough? To Edrick? It felt wrong, even dangerous.
But then, Edrick’s next words made her snap her head up in disbelief. "If you want to escape from this marriage," he kept going, his eyes locked on hers, "I’m more than willing to take you with me."