Stronger With You

Chapter 7

Callie’s family house didn’t look real.

White stone walls curved around wide glass windows that stayed open to the ocean air, sheer curtains lifting and falling like they were breathing. Somewhere deeper inside, soft music played — something slow and warm — blending with the sound of laughter and clinking dishes. The whole place felt effortless in a way that made my stomach twist. Beautiful without trying too hard. Perfect without showing off.

Which somehow made it more intimidating.

I smoothed my hands down the dress Callie had picked out for me, tugging lightly at the hem like I could make myself look like I belonged here if I adjusted it enough.

“You’re going to be fine,” Callie whispered, bumping her shoulder into mine before pushing open the door. “They already love you and they haven’t even met you yet.”

“That’s a terrifying level of optimism,” I muttered, but I followed her inside anyway.

The warmth hit me first. Not heat — energy. The smell of roasted vegetables and something sweet drifted from the kitchen. Voices overlapped easily down the hall, the kind of relaxed chaos that came from people who genuinely liked each other.

“Dad!” Callie called, kicking off her shoes like she owned the place.

A tall man with dark hair streaked with gray stepped into the entryway, his smile immediate and genuine.

“Mi niña,” he said warmly, pulling her into a hug that lifted her slightly off her feet. He laughed when she squealed, then turned to me with open curiosity. “And you must be Emery. I’m Rafael.”

His handshake was firm but gentle, and there was no hesitation in it. No evaluation. Just welcome.

“Nice to meet you,” I said, trying not to sound as nervous as I felt.

“And I’m Maria,” a woman said softly from behind him, wiping her hands on a dish towel as she stepped forward. She hugged

Callie first, pressing a kiss to her cheek, then reached for my hands like she’d known me forever. “Welcome, sweetheart. We’re so glad you’re here.”

The sincerity in her voice caught me off guard. No careful politeness. No hidden curiosity. Just warmth.

I almost didn’t know what to do with that.

“Callie says you’ve been surviving dorm life,” Rafael added with a grin. “That alone earns you honorary family status.”

“Em is tough as nails, she could survive anything,” Callie teased, looping her arm through mine and pulling me farther into the house.

I wasn’t so sure about that. . .

“Of course she can! And she’s tougher than you, honey” Maria said lightly. “Especially without family near her. You could learn something.”

“Mom,” Callie groaned, laughing.

The dining room opened up in front of us — a long wooden table already half set, candles flickering softly, beautiful white chairs that look like they belong in a museum. Rafael poured drinks while Maria moved back toward the kitchen, calling over her shoulder.

“Emery, you eat everything, right? No allergies? No secret hatred of vegetables?”

“I’ll eat anything,” I said quickly. “I promise.”

“Good,” she said. “Because Rafael burned the first batch of vegetables and we’re pretending it never happened.”

“I did not burn it,” Rafael protested, though he was already smiling.

Callie leaned toward me. “He absolutely burned it.”

I laughed before I could stop myself, the tension in my shoulders loosening a little more.

For the first time since arriving at Rosenberg Academy, I felt… normal. Not watched. Not measured.

Just… there.

Callie dragged me toward the table, already telling her parents a dramatic version of our week. She talked about the dorm chaos, and self-defense class. She mentioned how Ryker tripped over his own backpack, which was hilarious. They listened like every word mattered. Talking at my house meant being seen and I absolutely did not want Wade to see me any more than he did.

I sank into the chair beside her, letting myself breathe.

Maybe this wouldn’t be so bad after all.

And then the front doors opened again.

The music didn’t stop. The conversation didn’t freeze.

But the air changed.

Nicolás walked in first, expression already guarded except when he laid eyes on me. He squinted as if he didn’t know if it was his mind or he really saw me.

Behind him came Blaire Kensington, flawless and composed, followed closely by Alejandro and Luciana Vega, his parents, and the rest of the siblings. And worst of all, it looked like Blaire’s parents were here too. They all had the same stuck up face that looked like they sucked on a lemon. Great….

I felt my stomach drop.

The safe space had just changed. Yeah, I was definitely getting condescending looks, especially from Blaire and her parents.

As if she knew I was thinking of her, she stepped up by Nicolas like she had been invited personally by the universe.

Her parents followed, dressed in polished smiles that didn’t quite reach their eyes.

Rafael sighed quietly beside me. “Ah,” he muttered, half amused, half resigned. “The full parade.”

Maria leaned toward him. “Be nice.”

This is going to be a night to remember....