The end of the month? That’s in two weeks!
The music stops. Someone coughs. A waiter drops their tray.
We’re surrounded by an array of reactions, each one more shocked than the next.I don’t blame them. I thought Declan and I had a month to sort out our engagement, but now we only have two weeks.
The silence is deafening. My stomach threatens to dump its contents on the shiny marble floor, but somehow, I swallow back the acid crawling up my throat.
You got this.
“Surprise!” I beam, hoping to counteract Declan’s less than exciting display. I rip my hand out of his and throw it up so everyone can see my engagement ring. A million colors bounce off the diamond, drawing everyone’s attention toward the symbol of my impending doom.
“Welcome to the family, Iris.” Rowan, Declan’s youngest brother steps out from the crowd. While most people think he looks like Declan with his brown hair and dark gaze, I find them distinctly different. Because where Rowan has some hints of humanity peeking through, Declan lacks the same compassion.
Cal breaks through the crowd and raises his drink in the air. “Family therapy is on Thursday nights. Don’t be late!”
A few people laugh, and somehow the tension eases enough to make breathing bearable again.
“One hour and we’re leaving,” Declan huffs under his breath, low so only I can hear him.
“I was going to suggest thirty minutes, but if you insist.”
He doesn’t smile, but his eyes light up as they land on me. His chuff of air is practically a belly laugh. We both know we will never make it out of here in half an hour. Not when Declan is the first Kane to get married since Seth over thirty years ago. This kind of announcement is right up there with the prince of England having a child, and everyone is going to want a few minutes with him.
Whatever response Declan has is snuffed out as his father, Seth Kane, parts the crowd like Moses. The intensity of his displeasure could make a lesser man crumble to his knees.
Mine lock into place. I’ve spent enough time around him to learn he feeds off people’s weaknesses.
Declan feigns indifference except for the tiny tic in his jaw. He’s a master of hiding his emotions, but every now and then, one appears. A small clench of his jaw. The quick flex of his hand. A narrowing of his eyes before returning to his cool gaze.
“Relax.” I lean into him and rub my hand over his pounding heart.
You’re not the only one who is nervous.Looks like Declan is more human than I thought.
“Son.” Seth doesn’t bother acknowledging my presence, as per usual. Since I serve no purpose for him, I cease to exist. Simple as that.
“Father.” Declan tips his chin.
They both look eerily similar with their brown hair and empty, dark stares. But that’s where their likeness ends. I’m sure Seth was handsome at one point in his life, but his misuse of alcohol has aged him in a way that Botox can’t fix.
“I figure some congratulations are in order.” Seth smiles at me for the first time ever. The fakeness pouring off him makes me nauseous. “My son is lucky to have you in his life.”
Yeah, right. The man knows nothing about me. Even after three years, he still calls me Irene whenever he needs to get patched through to Declan’s phone line.
“Save your display for the cameras.” Declan wraps his arm around me. While his gesture comes off robotic, I appreciate his ability to try to make this look legitimate.Trybeing the key word. He’s stiffer than my nana’s cocktails, and those suckers can get anyone drunk from a single cup.
“Fine advice from someone putting on quite the show right now.”
Declan’s hand grips onto my waist with punishing force. “Just because you’re bitter about love doesn’t mean the rest of us feel the same way.”
He scoffs. “You don’t know the first thing about love.”
“They say you can learn a lot from others’ mistakes, so thanks for that.”
There’s a crack in Seth’s wolfish smile. It’s so brief, I almost miss it, but the pain etched into his eyes throws me off.
Don’t fall for it. It’s not real.
“You know nothing about what your mother and I went through, and I hope you never have to experience something like that during your marriage.” Seth turns on his heel and exits the ballroom without paying mind to anyone around him.