enne

each other. Not pretending this was normal, when every part of me was getting out of control. The table looked perfect, too perfect. White plates, polish

ike he belonged there. I kept pushing my body away, but somehow, I ke

voice low and smooth, watchi

a smile.

e I walked in. And his eyes, those sharp, stormy eye

something," he a

I could come up with something polite, my mum

l, too fake, like she was trying to sell me the perfect story. I stared at

"Oh yes! It's q

tighter. The stem nearly

lp," he said proudly, looking strai

p?" I asked, keep

chest puffing out. "She wasn't happy wit

did that behind my back?" I

now's not t

nd my back to dig into something I wa

," she whispered. "I

Dad isn't even gone that long and here

ropped. "Th

don't get to protect

d in. "Show s

ke you know me," I s

my lap, under the table. It was

there like he had every right. My breath caught. The dress I'd picked out suddenly fel

almly, like he hadn't just crossed

rted, something about the cake and flower colours. My head was spinning. What was happening? How could I feel so disgusted and so

mum's voice p

oked up, c

're inviting Fl

. I'll let them know." Lucian finally pul

aze didn't move. His eyes had already taken their fill. I hated how calm he looke

move. Eventually, I left and went outside. Minutes later, he came out and he leaned ag

ere," he said quietly. "You came

de, as far as he was ne

ting him. "Touching me under the table, saying thi

d in his eyes. "It's not a game, Vivienne. You

're just some stranger who showed up at d

u were holding back tears when your mum spoke about your father. A

d my eyes stinging. I didn't want to cr

nt nothing. One day he was here, and the next... she was sitting across from m

t let me speak. The silence bet

mitted. "But I'm not rea

me. "You don't have to be okay with it tonight

e," I said, my voice cr

, not demanding, not teasing. Just enough to make

l of it," he said. "Angry,

t because I didn't want hi

I said, shaking my he

, eyes not lett

falling apart. And yo

ly. Like he'd heard it before. Lik

," he said. "But don't lie to you

click. I stayed where I was, heart racing, breath stuck i