Chapter 13 Snakes In The Ballroom

• (POV: Isabela Montoya)
• The big ballroom sparkled, but it felt mean. Bright lights from chandeliers shone down on a crowd of guests in fancy clothes. Their laughter sounded fake, their smiles too polished, hiding danger. The room felt noisy and busy – music, talking, glasses clinking, everyone watching. The air felt thick stepping inside, heavy and cloying with the scent of too much perfume battling too many flowers—an almost funeral-parlor sweetness that caught in my throat. This wasn't a celebration; it was just performance. And I was the main thing on display.
• Mateo’s hand stayed possessively on the small of my back. It was a constant pressure, never leaving, guiding me through the crowd. His touch wasn’t kind or comforting; it felt like ownership. He steered me like a horse being shown off. Every part of me wanted to pull away, to escape being so close to him. But I forced myself to stay calm, remembering Rena's tricky advice. I knew hundreds of eyes were watching us.