Elias’s hand clamped around mine the moment we stepped into the party. I tried to yank free, but his grip only tightened.
“Let go of me,” I hissed under my breath.
“Our parents are here. We can at least pretend for tonight,” he murmured, keeping his practiced smile plastered on his face. “Look over there—they’re together, smiling. Let’s not ruin it.”
I followed his gaze. Sure enough, my parents stood beside his, all of them chatting, faces lit with joy. My jaw clenched, but I forced a smile onto my lips and let Elias lead me closer.
“Alina!” His mother’s voice rang out the moment she spotted me. She rushed forward, arms open, and pulled me into a hug I didn’t return. My body stiffened.
“It’s been so many years,” she said, her tone bubbling with excitement. My skin crawled. Years? She
