River stood at the edge of the reception, the low hum of music and laughter swirling around him, but his attention was fixated on the sight before him—Riley, his new bride, twirling Lucas in her arms. His six-year-old son’s face was lit up with pure joy, giggling as Riley danced with him, her smile as radiant as ever.

His chest tightened at the sight. It was a strange feeling, one he hadn’t allowed himself to feel in so long—happiness mixed with a deep ache he couldn’t quite ...