With the formalities over, people began to disperse, laughter and chatter filling the air. Anna took a sip of her champagne and glanced at Oliver, her eyes meeting his for just a moment before shifting away. Oliver sensed it—the unspoken questions, the uncertainty, and the quiet anticipation of what would come next.
His laptop sat on the table in the other room, still holding the secret that had brought them to this precarious moment. As they stood amidst the joyous celebration, each was acutely aware that their next encounter would be a tipping point, for better or worse. And so, with champagne glasses in hand, they mingled with their guests, all while the weight of the unspoken words loomed large, waiting for the right moment to be revealed.