In this chapter, Beth calmly approaches Tony during a formal ballroom event and points out that his tie is crooked, a gentle, intimate gesture reminiscent of their past together. She then boldly asks him to dance, reminding everyone present that they are still legally married. This public display stirs tension, especially with Dania, Tony’s current partner, who reacts with visible anger and possessiveness.
As the band begins to play the same waltz from Tony and Beth’s wedding twenty years ago, Beth leads Tony to the dance floor despite his initial resistance. Their dance evokes memories of their early relationship, and for a brief moment, Tony’s demeanor softens. However, he quickly reverts to coldness, declaring his love for Dania and urging Beth to let go of the past. This rejection deeply wounds Beth, who makes one last emotional plea before the dance—and their interaction—abruptly ends.
The ballroom falls into stunned silence, and Beth quietly leaves, leaving Tony standing alone, visibly shaken though masking it with a cold exterior. Dania, feeling victorious, mocks Beth for embarrassing herself, but Tony’s trembling finger betrays his inner turmoil. The chapter closes with Tony’s ambiguous response when questioned by Dania, hinting at unresolved feelings beneath his composed facade.
Following the incident, news spreads rapidly, causing concern among those close to Beth. Sloane insists on visiting the Oliver estate, where tensions run high. Shawn angrily curses Tony, but is silenced by his father Kaizen. Beth sits silently, revealing to Jeffrey and others that Tony is not under anyone’s control and has simply stopped loving her. Despite the pain, Beth resolves not to beg for his love, while Jeffrey demands an immediate divorce and vows that Tony will not leave easily.
Bonfire 472
Chapter 472 The Dance
“Miles,” Beth said calmly, her voice carrying just enough them. “Your tie is crooked.”
ch every curious ear around
The words and motion were so natural–so intimate–that they seemed to pull the entire ballroom backward in time. Beth lifted her hand to straighten his tie, her fingers brushing lightly across his jaw. It was the same small, unconscious gesture she used to make morning for twenty years.
every
Tony froze. His entire body stiffened, his eyes flickering with something raw and unguarded. Dania noticed immediately. She took a step forward to pull him away, but before she could act, Tony’s expression hardened back into its cold, practiced mask.
“Thanks for the reminder,” he said flatly.
Beth withdrew her hand, her smile faint and steady. “Mr. Tony, would you care to dance?”
Then, turning to Dania, she added smoothly, “You don’t mind, do you? After all, we’re not officially divorced yet. Asking my husband for a dance isn’t too much to ask, is it?”
Her tone was mild, but every syllable carried clearly through the crowd. A wave of whispers rippled across the room.
Dania’s face darkened, her nails digging into Tony’s arm hard enough to leave marks. “Mr.
you think?” Tony,” she said through gritted teeth, “what do
Before he could answer, the band struck up a tune–a slow waltz with haunting familiarity. It was the same song that had played at their wedding twenty years ago.
“Well,” Beth said softly, her eyes glinting, “seems like fate made the choice for us.” She didn’t wait for permission. Her hand slipped into his with quiet authority, guiding him gracefully into the center of the floor.
Tony’s muscles locked in resistance, but under the scrutiny of a hundred watching eyes, he couldn’t pull away. When his palm came to rest at her waist, a faint warmth spread beneath his fingers–an echo of something long forgotten.
“Do you remember this dance?” Beth murmured, her tone gentle, her steps sure and confident. “You were so nervous you stepped on my foot three times.”
Tony’s brow furrowed. Images flickered across his mind–white silk, laughter, the awkward stumble of a young groom trying to keep rhythm. For a fleeting moment, his gaze softened.
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Chapter 472 The Dance
Then it vanished. “So what if I do?” His face turned to
零奶
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Beth’s chest tightened. She stared up at him, at the man she once knew, and every word he spoke cut like glass.
“I love Dania now,” Tony said coldly. “You should stop clinging to the past.”
The words hit her like a physical blow. They were the same words he’d once said decades ago -to another woman who had refused to let go.
“Miles…” she whispered, one last attempt, one last reach for the man she knew was still buried inside.
But the music stopped. Tony stepped back abruptly, releasing her hand as though her touch burned him. “Enough,” he said sharply. “Let’s end this.”
The crowd held its breath. Beth staggered back two steps, her composure cracking for only a second before she straightened again.
Dania hurried to Tony’s side, looping her arm through his. Seeing his cold expression return, she exhaled in relief. Then she turned to Beth, her lips curving into a triumphant smile. “You should stop embarrassing yourself, Beth. Miles loves me now. You’re just making things harde for everyone.”
Beth didn’t answer. She looked at Tony one last time, her eyes calm but unbearably sad, then turned and walked out of the ballroom without a word.
The room fell silent, only to erupt seconds later in a storm of whispers and speculation.
No one noticed Tony standing frozen in place–his eyes still fixed on the doorway where Beth had disappeared.
“Miles,” Dania hissed, jealousy tightening her voice, “what are you looking at?”
Tony’s expression didn’t change. He turned away, his face cold and impassive–but his finger hanging by his side, were trembling ever so slightly.
“Nothing,” he said quietly.
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Chapter 473 The Heart Transfer
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Chapter 473 The Heart Transfer
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News of the ballroom incident spread like wildfire through the city by morning. Everyone was talking about the Oliver family–the perfect marriage
just collapsed in public.
When Sloane heard what had happened, she couldn’t sit so. “I’m worried about Beth,” she said, insisting that Lucas drive her to the Oliver estate.
As soon as they stepped inside, Shawn’s furious voice rang from the living room. “Tony’s a bastard! A goddamn bastard!”
“Shawn, enough!” Kaizen’s sharp reprimand sliced through the air. “Stay out of things that don’t concern you.”
“I’m not a kid anymore!” Shawn protested, his face red with anger, though he still fell silent under his father’s stern glare.
Sloane and Lucas entered just then. Beth was sitting on the couch, motionless, her expression unreadable. Sloane’s chest tightened at the sight.
“Dr. Rivers, Mr. Hawthorne, please, have a seat!” Kaizen said quickly, forcing some warmth into his voice to mask the tension.
Only then did Jeffrey finally speak, his voice low but commanding. “Beth, what are you planning to do now?”
Beth slowly raised her head, her eyes dull but steady. “At first, I thought Miles must’ve been controlled–that there was some reason for him to say those things.” Her tone was calm, almost detached.
“Tonight, I tested him,” she continued, her voice faint but steady. “He remembers everything. He’s not controlled by anyone. He’s just… stopped loving me.”
She picked up her cup and took a sip. The tea had long gone cold; the chill burned her throat and froze straight into her chest.
When she looked up again, her composure had returned. “He’s already made his choice. I won’t beg.”
Jeffrey slammed his palm onto the table, making the tea spill over. “Divorce him! Immediately! But don’t think he’s walking away easy. No damn way!”
“Dad, calm down-” Kaizen started.
The chapter gently unfolds the lingering echoes of a love that once was, revealing the painful distance that time and choices have carved between Beth and Tony. Their dance, a poignant symbol of shared history and unspoken emotions, becomes a fragile bridge between past tenderness and present coldness. Beth’s quiet strength in the face of rejection and Tony’s conflicted demeanor highlight the complexity of their intertwined lives, where love and loss coexist in a delicate balance.
As the evening’s tension spills into the morning, the characters around them respond with a mix of anger, concern, and resignation, underscoring the deep impact of personal heartbreak on those close to them. Beth’s resolve to accept the end of their relationship without pleading speaks to her growth and dignity, even as the shadows of their past continue to haunt the present. The chapter closes on a note of somber acceptance, leaving the future uncertain but charged with the weight of what has been lost.
The next chapter promises to delve deeper into the emotional aftermath of the ballroom confrontation, revealing how Beth grapples with the painful realization that the man she once loved has truly moved on. Her quiet strength in the face of heartbreak will be tested as she begins to chart a new course for herself, one that may challenge the expectations of those around her. The tension within the Oliver family is palpable, and the simmering conflicts between loyalty, love, and pride are set to intensify.
Meanwhile, Tony’s internal struggle remains a compelling mystery—his outward coldness masks a turmoil that hints at unresolved feelings and secrets yet to be uncovered. Dania’s triumphant yet possessive demeanor adds another layer of complexity, promising that alliances and rivalries will be tested as the story unfolds. As the characters confront their pasts and face uncertain futures, the next chapter will explore the fragile boundaries between love and loss, control and freedom, leaving readers eager to discover what choices will shape their destinies.
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.

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