Chapter 35
By the time the music shifts again, my head feels like it’s packed full with cotton.
Not spinning anymore, just heavy and pressed in from the inside.
I keep my posture straight anyway. Shoulders back. Chin level. Ivy’s voice echoes in my head, telling me not to give anyone the satisfaction of seeing me fold.
Zane stands a step away from me, close enough that I can feel the heat coming off him, far enough that it’s obvious we aren’t pretending to be anything soft.
Lucas doesn’t move far either. He’s hovering, pretending not to be, eyes sharp every time I shift my weight.
I’m tired.
Not the kind of tired sleep fixes. The kind that sinks into your bones and makes everything feel slower.
My grandfather catches my eye from across the room.
I know what it means.
I straighten, take a breath, and step toward him. Zane notices immediately. Of course he does.
“Where are you going?” he asks quietly.
“To end this night,” I reply. “Before I do something embarrassing. Like collapse p>
His jaw tightens. “You’re not funny p>
“I’m not trying to be p>
Lucas falls into step beside me. “We’re leaving,” he says flatly to Zane, daring him to argue.
Zane doesn’t rise to it. He follows anyway.
My grandfather is standing near the edge of the hall now, glass gone, hands folded behind his back. He looks exactly as he always does when something has gone according to plan.
“Elaine,” he says.
“Yes, Grandpa p>
“You did well tonight p>
That almost makes me laugh. Almost.
“Thank you p>
His gaze flicks to Zane, then back to me. “This is only the beginning. There’s still much to prepare p>
Zane speaks before I can. “We’ll handle it p>
My grandfather nods once. “Good p>
Then he looks at me again. “The engagement party will be held in one week p>
The words sit heavy in my chest.
“One week,” I repeat.
“You’ll be present,” he adds. “Both of you.
I nod because that’s what’s expected. Because anything else would turn into a conversation I don’t have the energy for.
“Yes, Grandpa p>
“That will be all,” he says, already dismissing us.
Lucas’s hand presses lightly at my back as we turn to leave. Protective. Familiar. It grounds me more than I want to admit.
The walk out feels longer than the walk in.
People watch us go. I feel it on my skin. Curiosity. Speculation. A few smiles that don’t reach eyes.
Zane stays quiet beside me
Once we’re past the doors and the night air hits my face, I inhale deeply.
I hadn’t realized how tightly I’d been holding myself together until that moment.
Lucas stops near the steps. “You riding with me,” he says. Not a question.
Zane answers instead. “She’s riding with me p>
I close my eyes briefly.
Here we go.
“No,” I say. “I’m not p>
They both look at me.
“I’m tired,” I continue. “I don’t have the energy for another argument tonight. I’m going with Lucas p>
Zane’s expression hardens. “That’s not how this works p>
I meet his gaze. “It is tonight p>
A beat passes.
Then another.
Finally, he steps back. Just one step. But it feels like a concession.
“Fine,” he says. “For now p>
I don’t thank him.
Lucas opens the car door for me, watching Zane the entire time like he expects him to change his mind and lunge.
Before I get in, Zane speaks again.
“One week,” he says quietly.
I pause, hand on the door.
“I heard him p>
“This isn’t something you can half-show up for,” he adds. “If you’re going to do this, do it properly p>
I look back at him. Really look.
“At least we agree on something,” I say. “I don’t do anything halfway p>
His eyes narrow slightly.
I slide into the car with ivy behind me and shut the door.
As Lucas pulls away, I glance back through the window.
Zane is still standing there.
Watching us leave.