The Forbidden Throb Chapter 23

Emma's POV:

I felt a strange mixture of emotions as I listened to their complaints.

Nicholas being penny-pinching? That was completely unlike him—during our relationship, he never cared about money at all. If anything, he used to tease me for being too cautious with expenses.

Though I was curious about what might have changed, I reminded myself firmly, whatever was happening between Nicholas and Megan had nothing to do with me anymore.

I'd drawn a clear line under that relationship, and there was no point in continuing to eavesdrop on their gossip.

Before Megan could turn around and spot me, I decided it was best to find somewhere quieter. I'd come here to unwind, not to endure an uncomfortable run-in with my ex and his new girlfriend.

I'd barely taken two steps when a figure blocked my path.

The man before me wore an impeccable white tuxedo that seemed tailored specifically to accentuate his broad shoulders.

Looking up, I found myself face-to-face with Nicholas dressed as a prince. Apparently confident enough in his good looks, he wore no mask—just some decorative accents painted across his features.

*Of course,* I thought. *Just my luck. Speak of the devil and he appears.*

"Would you do me the honor of this dance?" he asked, extending his hand toward me with a slight bow.

I stared at him, momentarily speechless.

The sheer dramatic irony of the situation wasn't lost on me—of all the masked women in this ballroom, he'd approached his ex-girlfriend without even realizing it.

It was like something straight out of a Shakespearean comedy.

He couldn't possibly have recognized me behind this mask. If Nicholas knew who I was, he'd surely avoid me entirely—or worse, try to humiliate me after I'd so publicly ended things with him.

This had to be a coincidence, perhaps drawn to a costume that so perfectly complemented his own princely attire.

Either way, accepting his invitation was out of the question.

Megan was right behind me, and the last thing I needed was to provoke her or create a scene. But opening my mouth to decline would instantly reveal my identity.

I stood frozen in indecision, desperately searching for an escape route.

Just as I was contemplating a wordless head shake, Megan appeared at Nicholas's side, her demeanor completely transformed from the complaining woman of moments ago.

She slipped her arm through his, her body language suddenly all sweetness and possession.

"Nicky, there you are!" she purred, her voice dripping with affection. "I think you've mistaken this lady for me. Your princess is right here."

Nicholas's gaze lingered on me for just a moment longer before he turned to Megan with a casual shrug. "My mistake," he said, his voice cool and detached as though he genuinely had mistaken me for someone else.

I exhaled slowly as they walked away, relief washing over me.

Megan glanced back several times, her eyes scanning my masked face with obvious suspicion. I couldn't tell if her scrutiny stemmed from jealousy that Nicholas had approached another woman, or if something about me had triggered her recognition.

Either way, her lingering gaze made me uncomfortable.

I spent the next hour avoiding their vicinity, drifting between the refreshment table and various shadowy corners of the ballroom.

Near the dessert display, I spotted a familiar figure in a vivid costume—Olivia, though her usual energy seemed dampened as she listlessly picked at a chocolate-covered strawberry.

"No luck finding your knight in shining armor?" I asked, approaching her.

She looked up, recognizing my voice immediately despite the mask.

"Emma! Oh god, is it that obvious?"

She sighed dramatically. "I've been searching this entire ballroom and there's no sign of Matthew anywhere. Maybe we're just not meant to be."

"Don't be ridiculous," I said, squeezing her arm reassuringly. "The night's just begun—there's still plenty of time. Besides, these things usually work out with some kind of romantic coincidence, don't they?"

Olivia's eyes brightened behind her ornate mask.

"You're right! Actually, they're about to start the traditional random pairing dance. That's probably exactly the kind of romantic coincidence you're talking about!"

The moment I heard "random pairing," alarm bells went off in my head. I took an instinctive step backward. "Actually, I think I need to—"

But Olivia's hand shot out, gripping my wrist with surprising strength.

"Oh no, you don't! You're not abandoning me now. Come on, it'll be fun!"

"Olivia, I really don't think—"

Before I could protest, she dragged me toward the forming circles.

"Just try to enjoy it," she insisted, pulling me along. "Who knows? Maybe you'll have your own romantic coincidence."

Reluctantly, I joined the outer circle while men formed the inner one.

As the music played, both circles moved in opposite directions. I kept my eyes down, focused on the swirl of my skirts as I walked, silently praying I'd be the odd one out—the extra person left without a partner when the music stopped.

When the music halted abruptly, I looked up and felt my stomach drop.

Nicholas stood directly across from me, a knowing smirk playing at the corners of his mouth.

"What a coincidence," he said smoothly. "You again."

I said nothing, simply extending my hand according to the rules of the dance.

As we began to move together, I maintained my silence, hoping he still hadn't figured it out.

But Nicholas had other ideas. "So how long are you planning to keep up this charade of not knowing me?" he asked, his voice low enough that only I could hear over the music.