It was slipping. The calm façade, it was slipping from my control.

“Honey? Come on, Tessa is waiting for us inside,” Mom probed.

I can do it. Nothing happened. I’ve moved on.

Giving her a tight nod, I gritted my teeth and scrambled out with shaky knees. I caught Warner’s arm in a vice grip as my attention fell on the huge mansion I didn’t remember when I last visited.

“You all right? You look a little pale,” Warner asked as we crossed the threshold.

The line I shouldn’t cross.

“I’m fine.” My nails dug into my palm.

“Are you sure?”

I nodded, clutching him harder. He winced but didn’t ask any further. And I was grateful for that.

I let him drag me across the mass of people dressed in sophisticated and branded clothes. The vast hall was sufficient to gulp the massive crowd alone. Everything was decorated the way a party of one of the most influential families should be. Elegant, yet dazzling.

As we passed the chatting and drinking crowd, we spotted Tess, standing beside some of her friends. Seeing us, she excused herself and rushed to us, the tail of her silvery sparkling gown dragged behind her. Tobias also followed.

If all their friends were here, that meant…

Tugging my hand out of Warner’s arm, I took a step back. Glanced around, my legs urged me to run. Go back to the safety of my room where someone couldn’t reach me. Someone who I buried in the pit of my memories.

“Oh my God. Look at my baby, you’re looking so beautiful!” Mom’s voice croaked as she glanced at Dad. “When did our daughter grew up so much, Wilson? Look at her wearing an engagement ring today.” She sniffled.

I averted my gaze from her ring and took a glass of wine from a passing waiter. My hand shook around it.

Dad rubbed Mom’s back while Tess rolled her eyes. “Mom, we’re just announcing our official engagement date. I’m not getting married tonight.”

“Don’t worry about her, she just got a little emotional. Anyway, where is your fiancé?” Dad asked, looking around.

“Oh, he is over there.” She pointed near the bar. And I froze.

Slowly and steadily, I followed everyone’s gaze. Four men stood together, one of them stood with his back to us.

Is it... him?

Seven years. After seven years, I will come face to face to him. I will have to look into those stormy gray pools…

I let out a shaky breath. I needed air, I needed out.

Just as I was about to slip away, Tess called out for him.

“Caleb?”

My steps halted. Caleb?

I glanced at the direction as that man turned around and a broad grin lightened his face. Striding closer, he kissed Tess’s cheek and greeted Mom and Dad.