BACK TO BLACK

CHAPTER 2

Roxanne's Pov.

Nothing had changed.

What did I expect?

The familiar walls felt like they were pulling me in for a hug, welcoming me home. The walls of this living room are bathed in a rich, deep terracotta, warm mustard, and earthy olive intertwined to create a warmth that creeps up on you. A distressed leather armchair, adorned with oversize throw pillows in patterns that echo the colors of an autumn forest. A warm glow fills the room from pendant lights resembling delicate, golden orbs suspended from the ceiling, copper-finished floor lamps, and a fireplace.

It hit differently and felt wrong in so many ways. Unshed tears prick at my eyelids when I hold them back. My heavy chest weighs down on me. I know my parents knew about my hesitation about coming back home. They understood I was not ready to go back.

I made Paris my haven, but being here makes me feel like I have reached the end of the race. I am back where I was years ago; no more running.

Nostalgia hit me like a truck. I looked around the place I had called home for years before I ran away. The walls display different family and school pictures that we took. They have added some images of Rona in her swimming competitions and the trophies they won. Rona is the only person in this family who is interested in sports in the long term. Swimming is everything to her, and I love that she has something she is passionate about—Rona's high school graduation pictures.

Rowan's picture on his graduation day. He has been helping Dad at the company since college, and after he graduated last year, he started working there full time. Even though Dad lost half of the company, he is still in charge of some matters. He says that it's a blessing in disguise.

The walls of my childhood home seemed to close in around me, each painting I passed a reminder of the life I used to live, the girl I used to be. It had been twenty minutes since I crossed the threshold, but already the familiar ache claws at my chest.

I haven’t been back here in years, and the reasons I told myself back then—work, travel, life—now feel like hollow excuses. Deep down, I knew it wasn’t the distance that kept me away, but the weight of emotions I’d buried under miles and time. Coming back was never just about the house. It was about facing the things I’d been running from.

And now, standing in the place where I once thought I could escape everything, I realize that Ivy’s wedding gave me the push to return—but it’s the remnants of that courage that are already slipping away.

Kai’s voice breaks the silence, his words an unexpected intrusion. "You played softball?"

His eyes are drawn to a photo on the wall, one I never thought I'd see again. A younger me, grinning wide, in a faded team uniform, surrounded by teammates. High school—back when life was simpler, and a softball game was the most important thing of the day.

"Yeah," I answered, caught off guard. "It was... a thing at my school."

"Were you good?" His gaze lingers on the picture, and I can see the curiosity in his eyes.

I tilted my head, a faint smile touching my lips. "It helped keep me busy. Gave me something to focus on. Played for two years... then quit senior year."

"Why?" he presses, not letting the moment pass.

I pause, the memories suddenly rushing in—those late nights, the pressure to keep up with everything. "I had bigger things on my mind... art, grades, getting into NYU. It felt like the only thing that mattered that year."

Kai nodded slowly, then met my gaze. "Did you play sports in high school?" I asked him.

"Basketball," he answers, his tone light. "For fun."

My mom breezes in with a tray of snacks. I hadn’t warned her—hadn’t planned on meeting with Kai today. Her curiosity is immediate, her questions coming fast and furious, one after another. I try to intervene, but the sharp glance she shoots me is enough to silence me. She’s treating Kai like the son she never had as if he’s the one who’s been living in Paris, not me. I did mention him a few times when we talked. They also knew he helped me with my art a lot.

Kai doesn’t seem to mind. He leans back, casually recounting how we met—how he was persistent, how I turned him down, how I pushed him away every time he tried. His tone is light, almost amused, but it’s clear he’s telling the truth. He’s the only one who never gave up.

“You’re not the only one she’s pushing away,” she adds, throwing me a sideways glance. “This is the first time she’s been back here in four years. And she only came back because of Ivy’s wedding. If not for that, she'd still be making excuses.”

I stare at him, incredulous, but he’s already smiling like he’s won some unspoken victory. Mom, apparently pleased with his honesty, doesn’t notice my stunned silence.

“Well, love is in the air, huh?” he says, suddenly upbeat. “I’ve got a cousin, Drew. He’s getting married this summer, too.” Kai said.

Kai’s grin widens as he turns to me. “How about this?” he says as if it’s the most natural thing in the world. “I’ll be your date to the wedding, and you’ll be mine to Drew’s wedding.”

My mouth opens, then closes again. He’s just asked me out—in front of my mom.

Before I can say anything, my dad walks in, his presence a shadow that fills the room. He eyes Kai with barely concealed disapproval.

I know my dad. He’s never been strict about my dating, but after everything that happened, he’s wary of any man who comes too close. He blames himself for what happened, even though no one could have known. We were all deceived, but he can’t seem to let go of the guilt.

I wish he would.

I hugged my dad, whom I had not seen in a long time. "I am so glad you are okay," I said.

I did the introductions, and Dad was not impressed. He sensed and decided to excuse himself by saying he had other things to do.

As Kai was headed for his car, I walked him out. “Thanks for the ride. You helped me today,” I said, my voice quieter than I intended.

Kai glanced at me, his expression suddenly serious. “Your dad didn’t seem too fond of me.”

“Nothing personal,” I reassured him, offering a small shrug.

Kai smirks, clearly undeterred. “Don’t worry, I’m used to this. Parents' love me. I’ll warm up to him.”

“Good luck with that,” I said, half-smiling. My dad doesn’t warm up to anyone easily, especially not someone who’s getting too close to his daughters.

Kai pauses, his tone shifting, softer. “It would help if you stopped pushing me away. If he saw how serious I am about you… Maybe that would soften his heart.”

His words made my chest tighten. If only I could feel what he feels, even for a moment. But I’ve tried. I have. I’ve tried to love him, to give us a chance in Paris, but it never worked.

“Oh, I’m just kidding,” Kai says with a wink, climbing into his car. “Remember, I’m just a call away.”

The sound of his engine fades as he drives off, and I turn back toward the house.

Before I could get far, my dad spoke, his voice low and full of suspicion. “That boy… I don’t trust him.”

I let out a breath and rolled my eyes. “Relax, Dad. Kai’s harmless. And I’m not interested in dating anyone. He knows that.”

I sat down beside him, trying to ease the tension in the room. Dating is the last thing on my mind right now. Especially not with someone like Kai—he’s a public darling, the king of social media, and I’m the villain. We couldn’t be more opposite. He has good intentions, but I’m not the one he deserves. I’ve told him that over and over, but he still sticks around. I love him for that—more than I should.

Dad’s expression tightens, his worry evident, and I feel the weight of it settle between us. He doesn’t say anything more, but the concern in his eyes says it all.