(Fiona’s POV)

My mother stood at the door wearing a soft beige gown—the same one Dad bought her on their twenty-third anniversary. Her eyes softened with something close to sorrow as she looked at me, then shifted toward Jalen. She leaned in and pressed a gentle kiss to his cheek. I wasn’t surprised. She had always been that way.

“Pleasure to see you again, Jalen,” she greeted warmly.

He returned a polite smile.

My father stepped in behind her, his tie slightly loose, his expression ...