The Day I Walked Away My Empire Began novel Chapter 13

“…Elio?”

Lucie froze, the name slicing through her haze, sobering her in an instant.

Elio. Her first love.

It had been four years since they’d last seen each other. He’d changed so much she barely recognized him. The dim light hadn’t helped; she hadn’t realized it was him until now.

Tension hung heavy in the air for several heartbeats before Elio’s friend, Ashton, burst out laughing, slapping Elio on the shoulder until he had tears in his eyes.

“Elio, did you hear that? Our lovely guest thinks you’re an escort! And not just any escort—the top choice! So, tell us, how much for a night?”

Elio’s gaze went cold, shadows sharpening his jawline. The temperature in the room seemed to plummet.

Ashton caught the warning and snapped his mouth shut. He wasn’t stupid enough to push his luck with Elio.

A flush crept up Lucie’s neck, humiliation prickling under her skin.

She’d assumed this is a girl-only party. The only guy here wore a suit and tie. Only Elio stood out with casual clothes, an outrageous shock of dark blonde hair, and a face almost too handsome to be real. No wonder she’d mistaken him for a model.

Someone called out, breaking the spell. “Hey, we’re all friends here! This is fate, right? Come on, let’s all have some fun!”

The room came back to life, laughter and chatter swirling around them.

Lucie shrank into herself, the urge to leave overwhelming. “Mira, I have to go.”

Mira frowned. “Seriously? You just got here! Why are you leaving so soon?”

Lucie could hardly breathe. Being in the same room as Elio was suffocating.

Back in France, Elio had been a year ahead of her and a legend on campus. He’s the guy every girl wanted.

But he’d wanted her.

He’d chased her for three years, persistent and relentless. Lucie had tried to focus on school, but in her final semester, she finally gave in.

Only to learn it had all been a bet.

She could still see that night, clear as glass. It’s Elio’s birthday party. He’d been locked in a kiss with a freshman, arms wrapped around her, laughing with his friends.

“You all said she was the ice queen,” he’d bragged. “But she was easy. No challenge at all.”

“I’ll play with her for a couple of months, then dump her when I’m bored.”

If she walked away now, it would look like she still cared about the past.

Ashton swaggered over, putting on a show. “Well, well, would you look at that—Lucie Anderson! I almost didn’t recognize you!”

“Long time no see! You have to catch up with us tonight.”

He looped an arm around her and Mira, steering them toward the sofa.

Lucie sat, her thoughts in turmoil. She’d come out to clear her head, but now it felt more tangled than ever.

“Lucie, a toast,” Ashton said, handing her a glass with a crooked grin.

She managed a smile and clinked glasses with him. “Cheers.”

Other alumni joined in, drinks flowing, laughter rising. Lucie felt herself loosening up, the alcohol softening the edges of her nerves.

All the while, Elio sat across from her in silence, his gaze never leaving her.

She was even more stunning than he remembered. Gone was the shy college girl—now she had a poise and allure that left him breathless.

He hadn’t stopped regretting that night for a single day.