Elena’s POV:
The moment my gaze landed on Alex, my breath caught in my throat.
He stood in the lobby, his broad shoulders squared, his expression unreadable. But there was something different about him tonight—something unnerving. His usual cold emotionless face was absent, replaced by a calmness that sent a ripple of unease through me.
My heartbeat drummed loudly in my ears, drowning out the hush that had settled in the house. For a moment, neither of us spoke.
Then, a sharp voice shattered the silence.
"Elena!" My mother’s tone was razor-sharp, cutting through the tension like a whip. "Greet him properly."
I clenched my fists at my sides, swallowing the bitter taste of resentment. With careful control, I forced the words from my lips. "Good evening, Alex."
To my shock,
