Sophie's Life

Chapter 55: The Grand Entrance

The ballroom's energy shifted with every passing moment. As I stood with Daniel, trying to regain composure after my encounter with James, familiar voices rang out behind me. 

"Sophie!" Jules's cheerful call drew my attention. 

I turned to see Jules and Alan striding toward me, their matching smiles lighting up the room. Jules wore a midnight blue gown with shimmering accents, her hair styled in an elegant updo, while Alan looked sharp in a gray suit. 

"About time you showed up," I teased, embracing Jules. "I thought you two got lost."

"Lost in traffic, maybe," Alan quipped, his eyes flicking to Daniel with a knowing smirk. "But clearly, we made it just in time to keep you company."

"You're not the only one who made it," Nathan chimed in, approaching with Sasha on his arm. Sasha looked stunning in an emerald green dress that complemented Nathan's classic black tuxedo. Her laughter bubbled as they joined the group, the ease of their presence lifting the mood instantly.

Riley and Aaron returned from the dance floor, Riley's cheeks flushed with joy. "Look who finally decided to grace us with their presence!" she exclaimed, gesturing to the growing circle.

Aaron chuckled, draping an arm over her shoulder. "And here I thought we were the late ones."

As the group exchanged greetings and caught up, I noticed Abby standing quietly at the edge of the crowd, her delicate champagne-colored dress flowing like liquid gold. She was scanning the room, her expression thoughtful until Nathan nudged her playfully, earning a soft smile in return.

The conversation buzzed around me, but my thoughts kept straying to the tension lingering in the air. Daniel, ever the charmer, was cracking jokes and keeping everyone entertained, yet his eyes darted to me and back to James across the room. James, meanwhile, was in conversation with a cluster of business acquaintances, but his glances toward our group didn't go unnoticed.

Just when I thought the night couldn't get more chaotic, the double doors at the ballroom's entrance opened with dramatic flair. All eyes turned as Mia entered, looking every bit like a queen descending from her throne. Her crimson dress shimmered under the dazzling lights, hugging her figure perfectly before cascading into a flowing train. A diamond necklace caught the light, and her lips curved into a smile that could disarm the coldest hearts.

The room seemed to hold its breath as Mia made her way in, her confident stride commanding attention. She scanned the crowd, her gaze landing briefly on me before locking onto Daniel. Her smile widened, and she raised a hand in a graceful wave. The tension between Daniel and me snapped like a taut string.

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### **Daniel's POV**

The moment she walked in, I felt the shift. Mia. She had this way of owning a room without even trying. Her entrance was like a well-rehearsed performance—every step deliberate, every movement calculated to leave an impression. And, of course, it worked. The whispers started almost immediately, the admiration in people's eyes unmistakable.

But for me, it was complicated.

I couldn't take my eyes off her, yet my thoughts kept drifting to Sophie. She was standing just a few feet away, her soft beige gown making her look ethereal. She was laughing at something Nathan had said, her head tilted back, her smile genuine. For a moment, I wondered what it would feel like to be the reason behind that kind of laughter. To have her look at me like that.

And then there was James. Always James. His presence felt like a shadow looming over everything, especially tonight. I'd seen the way his eyes lingered on Sophie, even with his date practically glued to his side. It irritated me to no end. Not because I thought he didn't deserve her—but because deep down, I wasn't sure I did either.

As Mia approached, her smile lighting up the space around her, I braced myself. "Daniel," she greeted, her voice smooth and warm, "I was starting to think you'd forgotten about me."

"Hard to forget someone who makes an entrance like that," I replied, forcing a grin. It wasn't a lie, but it wasn't entirely the truth either.

She laughed, leaning in slightly as if sharing a secret. "Flattery suits you, but I've come to expect more."

Her words were meant to be teasing, but I could feel Sophie's gaze burning into me from across the room. I glanced her way, catching the fleeting moment of something—jealousy, maybe?—before she turned back to Jules and Abby.

"You're distracted," Mia said, her tone dipping as she followed my line of sight.

"Not distracted," I corrected, my voice firmer than I intended. "Just thinking."

"About her?" she asked bluntly, her eyes sharp despite the sweet curve of her lips.

I didn't answer. I couldn't. Because the truth was, I didn't know what I felt anymore. Sophie and I had always been complicated, a mess of almosts and what-ifs. And James? He only made things worse. The way he looked at her, the unspoken tension between them—it was enough to make me question everything.

Mia reached for my hand, her touch grounding me for a moment. "Well, Daniel," she said softly, "whatever you're thinking about, just remember this some people are  just not worth fighting for."

Her words hung in the air as she walked away, leaving me standing there with too many thoughts and not enough clarity. I turned back to the group, my eyes finding Sophie once more. She caught my gaze briefly, her expression unreadable, and I knew that tonight was far from over.