The VIP lounge hummed with fractured energy, tension settling like visible atmosphere. Charlotte kept her eyes fixed on her phone, ARIA's silent replies a thin shield against the vibrant intimacy swirling around her. Every other woman here was mine—openly, shamelessly expressing their affection.
Charlotte existed outsid that circle, watching but not participating, observer rather than member.
Left out. The word hung heavy, pulling her shoulders inward.
Sarah felt it too—the in-between. She'd positioned herself awkwardly between Emma's territory and neutral ground, not quite part of her twin's easy camaraderie with Luna and Sofia, nor wholly comfortable claiming her own space. She shifted, a silent plea in her posture.
I saw it. Needed to fix it now, before insecurities took root and forced her into rushing intimacy just to feel adequate within the harem structure.
