The evening continued with the reunion in full swing. Laughter echoed across the room, and the clinking of glasses was constant as people celebrated, exchanged stories, and enjoyed the atmosphere of the grand event. Elena, though outwardly composed, felt the weight of her earlier conversation with Luca. Her heart was still racing, her mind replaying the intensity of his words. The tension between them had been thick, but she knew she couldn't dwell on it—not tonight.

As she stood by a table, refilling her drink, she noticed Shanaya across the room, her eyes narrowing as they met Elena's. Shanaya had always been a problem, ever since she had re-entered Luca's life. She made no effort to hide her distaste for Elena, and the rivalry between them was growing more toxic with each passing day.

Elena sighed, feeling a twinge of exhaustion. Maybe she should've just stayed home tonight. It wasn't worth the drama, and with Luca constantly watching her and Shanaya's obvious glares, it was getting hard to keep her calm.

Aaron appeared by her side, his smile a welcome distraction. "You okay?" he asked softly, his concern evident.

"Yeah," she nodded, forcing a smile. "Just a bit tired. It's been a long night."

Aaron's warm eyes softened, and he gently placed his hand on her arm. "Do you want to get some air? We could step out for a bit."

Elena was about to agree when she caught Luca watching them from across the room, his gaze stormy and possessive. It seemed every time she turned, he was there, his presence like an unspoken threat to her new life with Aaron. The tension was unbearable, and she knew she couldn't avoid Luca forever.

"No, I'm fine," she replied to Aaron, trying to shake off her unease. "I'll just head upstairs for a moment, freshen up a bit."

Aaron nodded, offering her a smile. "I'll be right here if you need me."

As Elena made her way toward the grand staircase leading to the upper level, she felt the pressure in the room growing. Eyes followed her, whispers stirring in her wake. Her past with Luca had always been an open secret, but with Shanaya in the picture, things had become more complicated.

Halfway up the staircase, Elena felt her heel catch on one of the steps. In a split second, she lost her balance. Panic gripped her as she tried to steady herself, but it was too late. She tumbled forward, her body hitting the stairs with a sickening thud as she slid down, crashing hard onto the marble floor below.

Gasps echoed through the room as all eyes turned to the scene. Elena lay there, momentarily stunned, her mind whirling from the impact. Her head spun, and pain radiated from her ankle and arms.

"Elena!" Aaron's voice was the first to break the shocked silence. He rushed to her side, kneeling down to help her. "Are you okay?"

But before Elena could answer, another voice pierced through the crowd.

"Oh my God! Did you see that?" Shanaya's voice rang out, loud enough for everyone to hear. She stood near the top of the stairs, her expression filled with faux concern, though her eyes sparkled with malicious glee. "Poor Elena. I always told her those heels were dangerous!"

The murmurs in the crowd grew louder, whispers spreading like wildfire. Elena tried to sit up, her cheeks burning with humiliation. The last thing she wanted was to be the center of attention, especially not like this. She could feel everyone staring, judging, waiting to see what would happen next.

Shanaya continued her dramatic performance, walking down the stairs slowly as if she were some sort of savior swooping in to help. "Oh, darling, are you alright? That looked awful!" She knelt beside Elena, her voice dripping with insincerity. "You must've been so distracted. Maybe it's because of everything going on between you and Luca?"

At the mention of Luca's name, Elena's humiliation deepened. She knew exactly what Shanaya was doing—turning this accident into a public spectacle, one where she could paint Elena as some kind of clumsy, emotional mess. And now, with Luca's name being tossed around, she knew the rumors would spread faster than wildfire.

Aaron's face hardened as he helped Elena sit up. "She doesn't need this right now," he said, his voice firm as he glared at Shanaya. "Just back off."

Shanaya feigned innocence, raising her hands as if she were the victim. "I'm just trying to help. No need to get defensive."

Before anyone could say more, Luca appeared through the crowd, his expression dark and furious. He had seen the entire thing, his body tense as he approached. His eyes swept over Elena, his jaw tightening as he saw the pain in her eyes.

"Elena, are you okay?" Luca's voice was low, but there was an urgency in it as he knelt beside her, brushing Aaron aside.

The touch of his hand on her arm sent a jolt through Elena, but she quickly pulled away, not wanting to give him or anyone else the satisfaction of thinking she needed Luca's help.

"I'm fine," she muttered, wincing as she tried to move. "It's nothing."

Luca's eyes darkened further as he glanced at Shanaya, who was still hovering, a satisfied smirk barely hidden behind her concerned mask. He could see through her act, and it only fueled his anger.

"Shanaya, enough," Luca snapped, his voice sharp. "You've done enough."

Shanaya's eyes widened in mock surprise, but she quickly recovered, flipping her hair over her shoulder. "I was only trying to help, Luca. You don't need to get so worked up."

Luca stood up, his gaze cold and cutting. "Stay out of this."

The tension between them was palpable, and the room seemed to hold its breath as Luca helped Elena to her feet. She winced again as she put weight on her injured ankle, and Luca's hand tightened around her waist, steadying her.

"You need to sit down," Luca said firmly, his voice softening as he guided her toward a nearby chair. "Let me get you some help."

Elena wanted to protest, to insist she didn't need him, but the pain in her ankle and the dizziness in her head made her swallow her pride. She let Luca help her to the chair, though she could feel the eyes of the crowd still on her, their whispers swirling like poison.

Shanaya, clearly displeased with the turn of events, folded her arms across her chest, her expression hardening. "You're always so quick to rush to her side, aren't you, Luca? Maybe you should be more focused on your business instead of these... distractions."

Luca didn't even spare her a glance. His attention was fully on Elena, and for once, she felt a flicker of comfort in that. Even though their relationship was strained, and they hadn't resolved the mess between them, there was still something undeniably protective in the way Luca acted.

Aaron, who had been watching the exchange, stepped forward. "We'll get her out of here. She doesn't need to be in the middle of this circus anymore."

Elena nodded, grateful for Aaron's steady presence. But as Luca and Aaron helped her to her feet again, she couldn't shake the feeling of humiliation that clung to her like a second skin. She had become the center of gossip once more, and this time, Shanaya had made sure the spotlight was blinding.