Chapter twenty eight

And a ball at the Lawrence estate—it felt like something out of a dream.

Mrs. Lawrence squeezed my shoulder gently. “This is going to be a special night, Sierra. A fresh start for all of us.”

I smiled, though a part of me still felt tangled in confusion. About Jayden, about Zoe, about everything that was shifting around me.

A fresh start. Maybe that’s what I needed.

But as I thought about Jayden’s cold dismissal outside, I couldn’t help but wonder… was he really going to be part of it?

Mrs. Lawrence’s enthusiasm filled the room, her voice animated as she went over the details for the ball. Fabrics, decorations, guest lists—her excitement was contagious, and I found myself nodding along, even though my thoughts were scattered. My father was coming back. I should’ve felt nothing but joy, but the ……