Stephanie’s POV:
As we entered the dining room, the faint clinking of cutlery and soft murmurs filled the air. Everyone was already seated. Everyone except for Caden. His absence was glaring, the empty chair at the far end of the table standing out like a void. My heart sank slightly, but I masked it with a small smile as I took a seat.
Tyler’s grin was the first thing to catch my attention. It was wide, almost too wide, and his eyes followed me like a hawk as I moved to the empty chair. His expression was unsettling. The last time I’d seen him, his mood had been far from cheerful. Now, he seemed as though he had just struck gold or perhaps won the lottery. What exactly was he so happy about?
The dining table was an impressive spread, filled with platters of food that looked almost too
