I looked at Lena more carefully. Her smile was brighter than it had been the day I first met her. Her laughter came easily now, genuine and unrestrained. Whatever Sylvia had said must have been hilarious because she threw her head back as she laughed.
Liam's words echoed in my mind as I watched her.
In love? At peace?
Before I could dwell further on the thought, the auctioneer's voice boomed through the hall, breaking my reverie.
"Welcome to today's auction!"
The room shifted instantly. Conversations quieted, attention redirected to the stage.
But even as the show began, my eyes remained on Lena. At the center of the room stood a raised mahogany podium, illuminated by a single focused beam of light.
A collective breath was drawn. As Lena was lost in the display going on at the podium.
