Author POV

Gray pushed his chair back sharply, the sound of wood scraping against marble echoing through the tense dining room. His jaw flexed, his knuckles tightening against the edge of the table.

“You invited her?” he repeated slowly, his tone low and dangerous. “Into this house… after everything?”

Stephanie stood frozen at the entrance, clutching her purse tightly. Her eyes glistened as she tried to look fragile, wounded. “Gray, please… I didn’t know you’d be upset. I ...