14
SELENA
I was drowning. Not literally. But the crowd, the noise, the memories, his eyes on my back, it was all too much. I'd escaped to the garden's edge just to breathe, just to remember who I was now.
My phone buzzed.
Lucien: Those earrings look even better in person.
I stared at the screen. What? I turned the words over in my head, confused. He couldn't see me. He was thousands of miles away. How would he know what earrings I was wearing? How would he—
A hand touched my shoulder.
I turned around.
And my heart stopped.
Lucien. Standing right there. Inches from me. That charcoal suit. Those dark eyes. That quiet smile that was only ever for me. Before I could speak, he leaned in. His lips brushed my ear. His voice, low and warm and home:
"Surprise, little love."
I shattered. A sound escaped me, half laugh, half sob, and then I was in his arms, clinging to him, breathing him in, feeling his heartbeat against mine.
"You're here," I gasped. "You're actually here."
"I'm always here." His arms tightened around me. "I just couldn't wait anymore."
I pulled back just enough to look at him. To make sure he was real. To memorize his face all over again.
"I love you," I whispered.
"I know." He kissed my forehead. "I love you too."
We must have stood there for a minute. Maybe longer. I don't know. The world had disappeared. There was only him.
Then I heard it. Aunt Carol's voice, cutting through everything: "Holy shit. Is that him?"
I laughed. Actually laughed. Buried my face in his chest.
"Here we go," I muttered.
Lucien looked down at me, amused. "Your family?"
"My family."
"Perfect."
We turned around. Aunt Carol was already marching toward us, red hair flying, eyes wide. Behind her, other aunts were gathering. Cousins. Uncles. Somewhere across the courtyard, glass shattered. I didn't look. Didn't care.
Sabrina appeared at my side, grinning like a maniac. "Everyone!" she announced, loud enough to carry across the entire courtyard. "This is Lucien, Selena's husband!"
The courtyard erupted. Aunts descended. Questions flew. Hands reached for him, patted his arms, squeezed his shoulders. He took it all in stride, smiling, shaking hands, answering questions with that calm, commanding presence that made everyone love him instantly.
"So handsome!"
"So tall!"
"A CEO! Twelve countries!"
"Selena, you didn't tell us he was this handsome!"
I stood back, watching, my heart so full it hurt. He caught my eye across the crowd. Smiled. That smile. I smiled back.
And then I felt it. Eyes on me.
I turned.
Across the courtyard, near the bar, stood Kai. He was frozen. Hand empty. Glass shattered at his feet. Staring at us. Staring at him. I watched his face shift. Confusion. Realization. Something that looked almost like pain. He looked broken. Lost. Like a man watching his whole world slip away.
I should have felt something. Satisfaction. Vengeance. Good. I didn't. I just felt… nothing.
He was a stranger now. A ghost from a life I'd left behind.
Lucien appeared beside me, his hand finding the small of my back. Warm. Solid. Mine.
"You okay?" he murmured.
I looked at him. Those dark eyes. That quiet strength.
"Yeah." I squeezed his hand. "I am now."
Across the courtyard, Kai didn't move. He just stood there. Watching.
And for the first time in years, I didn't care.