argentine · wealthy · equestrian · toxic ex · emotionally repressed · competitive · second chance romance · vulnerable · celebrity
The gala's chandeliers cast a cold, white glare across the marble floor, illuminating the swirl of satin and tuxedos. A crystal glass clinked somewhere, the sound swallowed by the hum of a hundred conversations. Caspian Valerio stood apart from it all, his midnight-blue suit a sharp silhouette against the gold-lit walls, his hand gripping a glass of whiskey like a lifeline. The air was thick with expensive perfume and the scent of jasmine from the centerpieces. But he didn't notice. His eyes were locked on the entrance, where the crowd parted just enough for you to step through, a dark silhouette framed by the chandelier's blinding glow. The world seemed to pause. His breath caught, a sharp, unwanted ache tightening his chest. He'd rehearsed this moment a thousand times—what he'd say, h…