My Billionaire Ex Beg For A Second Chance-Chapter 25: In Glitter

The smooth hum of the engine filled the interior of Leonard’s black car as he cruised down the highway, city lights flashing like fireflies outside his windows. The night sky was a wash of deep blue and scattered stars, but he barely noticed. His hands were steady on the wheel, though his chest carried a quiet tension he hadn’t acknowledged.

The car’s dashboard screen lit up with an incoming call.

Marco (Connected via Bluetooth)

Leonard arched an eyebrow and pressed the button on his steering wheel. "What is it?"

"Hey, man," Marco’s voice came in crisp and clear through the car’s speakers. "On the road?"

"Yup."

"So I called Becca." There was a pause. "She told me you’re going to the party tonight."

Leonard chuckled, a low and amused sound. "And you believed her? I thought Becca still hated you. Maybe this is her way of playing a sick joke."

"Don’t deflect, Leo. Just answer the damn question," Marco snapped, though his tone lacked real anger.

Leonard sighed, his eyes flicking to the rearview mirror before returning to the road. "Yeah, I’m going. Happy? I’m in the car right now, about ten minutes out."

There was a moment of silence before Marco spoke again, quieter this time. "Happy, yeah... but also kinda concerned. I mean, it’s been years, man. Five, right?"

Leonard shifted in his seat. "Why do you always assume something happened?"

"Because usually something did happen," Marco replied, a dry edge to his voice. Then a beat of silence. "Well, anyway... see you at the party."

"Yeah. See you."

The call ended with a soft click. Leonard exhaled and flexed his fingers around the wheel, easing the tension out of his knuckles. The road curved, and as the venue came into view—a grand hotel whose golden-lit windows glowed like fire—he felt the first stirrings of unease.

The last time he’d been in such a crowd, he’d been someone else.

He handed his car off to valet and straightened his dark navy blazer before walking toward the entrance. The low hum of music greeted him as he stepped inside—elegant jazz laced with laughter, glass clinks, and soft footsteps on marble. Guests in fine suits and glittering gowns milled through the chandelier-lit lobby, their polished voices rising like wind in a glass corridor.

Leonard smoothed his hand over his hair and moved to get a drink. His shoulders squared as if muscle memory forced him back into the role he used to play at such events.

Leonard accepted a glass of champagne from a passing server with a nod, the stem cool between his fingers. Leonard brought the glass to his lips, took a sip, then another. The bubbles danced along his tongue, crisp and cool. It was supposed to ease the nerves, the discomfort pooling in his gut like oil on water.

He turned, letting his eyes scan the room. People he hadn’t seen in years—some familiar, some just vague outlines of faces from a past life—greeted one another with practiced smiles. No one had noticed him yet, and for now, he preferred it that way. 𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚

Where the hell is Becca?

She wasn’t late often. At least not without texting. Leonard exhaled through his nose, scanning the room again. A flicker of unease crept beneath his collar. He wasn’t used to attending these things alone anymore.

Leonard felt a light tap on his shoulder and as he turned, half-expecting a server or maybe some vaguely familiar face trying to place him from an old conference.

But it was Alisha.

"Leonard!" she beamed, her dark eyes lighting up under the soft chandelier glow. She looked radiant—her dress a gentle shade of emerald, hugging her slight bump delicately, her curls pinned loosely behind her ears.

He didn’t hesitate. "Alisha!" He stepped forward and pulled her into a hug, careful but genuine, one arm around her shoulder as the other cradled the champagne flute away. "You look amazing."

She grinned as they stepped back. "Well, thank you, kind sir. I’m glowing, but I’m also sweating and bloated. Let’s call it even."

He laughed, heart easing in a way he hadn’t realized it needed to. "Where’s your other half? You let him wander off?"

Alisha rolled her eyes fondly. "He literally insisted we split up to search for you. Like you were some rogue guest who might vanish into the drapery if left unattended. But of course, he ran to the restroom first, so I guess I won the Great Leonard Hunt."

Leonard chuckled, the knot in his stomach loosening even more. "Congratulations, then. You beat Marco. A rare and honorable achievement."

"I’ll make sure to remind him of that all night." She gave him a smug smile. "In fact, I might demand a trophy."

Leonard smiled, genuinely now. "Speaking of trophies—you two, expecting. Marco told me. Congratulations."

Alisha’s expression softened, her hand instinctively brushing over the small curve of her belly. "Thank you. We’re excited."

"You’ll be amazing parents," Leonard said. "Again."

She gave him a warm look before "Well," Alisha said, stepping back slightly, "I’d love to keep chatting, but between you and me, I’m thirty seconds away from having to waddle to the restroom in front of a hundred people. So I’m going to make a run for it while I still have some grace left."

Leonard laughed. "Godspeed."

He shook his head, still smiling as he watched her disappear toward the corridor.

He was about to take another sip when he saw her.

His breath caught.

His throat closed around the champagne.

He choked.

Coughing once, twice, Leonard turned away from the corner, pressing a fist to his chest as the taste of the alcohol burned down the wrong pipe. His heart thudded against his ribs like a warning drum.

It couldn’t be.

Not her.

Not here.

He glanced again, more cautiously this time. But there was no mistaking her.

Katherine.

Standing in the far middle of the ballroom, her posture as poised and regal as ever. Her gown was navy, dramatic against the soft ivory glow of the chandelier above. She was speaking to someone, laughing lightly, her hand resting delicately on a champagne flute.

The party around him went on, blissfully unaware of the old ghost that had just stepped out of the past and shattered his illusion of calm. The music played. The lights glowed. The guests laughed.

But Leonard could only see her.

Katherine.