Emily’s POV
Dinner at the Frost Mansion was as grand as I remembered. Even the events of the last year seemed forgotten as we sat, laughed and ate together.
The hum of conversation filled the room, but there was a tension underlining it.
I was seated between Joan and Lila, and their presence grounded me in a way that felt safe. Across the table, Caden sat with his usual confidence, his sharp features illuminated by the soft candlelight. His presence was commanding without being overbearing, a trait that had always made him stand out.
“Emily,” he greeted with a slight nod and a faint smile when our eyes met.
“Caden,” I replied, my voice steady despite the flutter in my chest. There was something about him that always made me feel like I was under a spotlight, even in the middle of a cr
