Two weeks later.
The city's most influential figures gathered beneath the crystal chandeliers of the Grand Meridian Hotel.
The annual Vale Foundation Charity Gala was one of the most anticipated events of the year.
Business leaders.
Politicians.
Academics.
Investors.
Media representatives.
Anyone who mattered in the city was present.
And unfortunately for Selina—
that meant everyone wanted to talk to her.
She stood near one of the ballroom windows, smiling politely through her exhaustion.
At this point, she had shaken hands with at least fifty people.
Possibly more.
She had stopped counting.
"You're hiding."
Selina didn't need to turn around.
"Lucian."
"You are hiding."
"I'm surviving."
"Different words."
"Same meaning."
Lucian handed her a glass of sparkling water.
Not wine.
Because he knew she preferred to keep a clear head during public events.
The small gesture wasn't lost on her.
Selina accepted the glass.
"How many people have asked if we're engaged?"
Lucian thought about it.
"Seven."
"I counted eleven."
"We should compare notes later."
She nearly laughed.
Unfortunately, that was exactly when another guest approached.
An older businessman greeted them enthusiastically.
After a brief exchange of pleasantries, he smiled knowingly.
"Still denying the rumors?"
Selina closed her eyes.
Of course.
The man continued.
"You two have been appearing together for months."
Lucian looked entirely unbothered.
Traitor.
The businessman eventually moved on.
Selina turned toward Lucian.
"You're enjoying this."
"No."
"You are."
"No."
"You absolutely are."
Lucian took a sip of coffee.
At a charity gala.
Because apparently normal beverages were beneath him.
Selina decided not to question it.
Again.
An hour later, the ballroom lights dimmed slightly.
The conversations throughout the room gradually quieted.
Everyone's attention shifted toward the main stage.
Tonight's keynote speaker was supposed to be Damian Vale.
That was what the program said.
However—
when Damian stepped onto the stage, he wasn't alone.
Selina immediately frowned.
Because he was looking directly at her.
That was never a good sign.
The room fell silent.
Damian adjusted the microphone.
"Good evening."
His voice carried easily across the ballroom.
"Before we begin tonight's fundraising announcements, there is something important I would like to address."
The audience listened attentively.
Selina felt a growing sense of suspicion.
Lucian looked amused.
Which was deeply concerning.
Damian continued.
"For many years, the Vale Foundation has focused primarily on traditional scholarship programs."
A large screen illuminated behind him.
Images appeared.
Students.
Schools.
Educational initiatives.
Projects funded by the foundation.
"Tonight, that changes."
The next slide appeared.
And Selina immediately froze.
Because it contained her name.
The audience began whispering.
Her suspicion transformed into alarm.
Damian ignored the reaction.
"Several months ago, someone reminded me why this foundation was created in the first place."
His gaze briefly found Selina.
Just for a moment.
Then returned to the audience.
"Not for prestige."
Another image appeared.
The educational center she had recently visited.
Students studying.
Teachers working.
Young people pursuing opportunities.
"But for possibility."
The ballroom remained silent.
Listening.
Watching.
Damian's expression softened slightly.
A rare sight.
"The next phase of the Vale Foundation will be led by someone who understands that better than anyone."
Selina immediately wanted to leave.
Unfortunately, several hundred people were already turning toward her.
There was no escape.
The screen changed once more.
A new title appeared.
THE SELINA VALE EDUCATIONAL INITIATIVE
The entire ballroom erupted into applause.
Selina stared.
Then stared some more.
Because surely she was misunderstanding something.
Beside her, Lucian looked entirely unsurprised.
She narrowed her eyes.
"You knew."
"No."
"You knew."
"A little."
"Lucian."
"A reasonable amount."
Traitor.
Complete traitor.
On stage, Damian continued speaking.
The initiative would provide scholarships, technology grants, educational infrastructure, and mentorship programs across multiple regions.
The scale was enormous.
Far larger than anything Selina had envisioned.
When Damian finally concluded, he looked directly toward her.
Then said:
"I'd like to invite Miss Selina Vale to join me."
The applause intensified.
Selina considered several options.
Including running.
Unfortunately, none were practical.
So she stood.
Straightened her dress.
And walked toward the stage.
The audience continued applauding.
As she reached the microphone, Damian quietly handed it to her.
Their eyes met briefly.
No words were exchanged.
None were necessary.
Because for the first time—
he wasn't asking her to prove herself.
He was acknowledging what she had already become.
Selina turned toward the audience.
Hundreds of faces looked back.
Waiting.
Expecting.
Trusting.
Oddly enough, she wasn't nervous.
Not anymore.
After surviving timelines, alternate realities, and the collapse of existence itself—
public speaking felt manageable.
She smiled.
Then began.
"When I was younger, I believed opportunities were something people were born with."
The ballroom became silent.
"But over time, I learned that opportunities are often created."
She thought of the students she had met.
Arjun.
The scholarship candidates.
The young girl who asked whether she had always been successful.
The countless people whose futures depended on a single chance.
"Talent exists everywhere."
A pause.
"But opportunity doesn't."
The audience listened closely.
"And that's a problem worth solving."
For the next several minutes, Selina spoke about education.
About access.
About potential.
About giving people the chance to become more than circumstances allowed.
When she finished, the applause lasted much longer than she expected.
Not because of her speech.
Because people believed in the vision.
so did she.
Later that night.
The gala had ended.
Most guests had departed.
The ballroom stood nearly empty now.
Selina stepped out onto one of the rooftop terraces overlooking the city.
Cool night air greeted her immediately.
The skyline glittered beneath the stars.
A few moments later, Lucian joined her.
Predictably.
She didn't even bother pretending to be surprised anymore.
For a while they simply stood together.
Watching the city.
Then Lucian spoke.
"You were impressive tonight."
Selina smiled.
"That sounded almost like a compliment."
"It was."
"Should I write down the date?"
"I'll pretend you didn't say that."
She laughed softly.
The silence returned.
Comfortable.
Familiar.
Then Lucian looked toward her.
And for the first time that evening—
his expression became serious.
Not business serious.
Not timeline serious.
Something else.
Something personal.
Selina immediately noticed.
And suddenly had a feeling that whatever happened next—
might change everything.