Val was still staring.

Even with everyone around, it felt like the whole room had gone quiet. Her eyes followed me — from my face, down to the black suit I'd thrown on in a hurry, crisp enough to pass but not perfect. The tie was slightly loose, the kind of flaw only she would notice.

Her gaze lingered, not because she was judging. Just… looking. Like she couldn't decide if I was really standing there.

I adjusted my cufflinks, then took a slow step forward, closing the space between us and the small crowd watching.

Mr. Collins turned fully toward me, that seasoned, assessing look in his eyes, the kind every businessman wore when meeting someone new.

I gave a small bow of my head, my tone steady. "It's an honor to finally meet you, sir. Kai Tanaka — Val's husband."

A brief pause, then I extended my hand. Not too quickly. Just enough to show respect without looking unsure.

Mr. Collins' eyes flicked down at my hand before he smiled and clasped it firmly. His grip was strong, confident — the kind of handshake that said he'd been doing this long before I was even born.

"Ah," he said with a deep chuckle, "and here he is. I was beginning to think your wife made you up."

The laughter that followed was light, polite, the sort that fit a place like this.

Mrs. Collins leaned in slightly, her eyes kind. "So this is the man we've heard so much about. My, you're even more handsome than the photographs I've seen."

That caught Val off guard. She blinked, a faint color rising to her cheeks. I smiled, just enough to be polite, but when I glanced at her again, it softened.

Whatever photographs Mrs. Collins meant weren't anything Val had shown her personally. They were the kind that had made their way online, the kind that came with headlines. Because when Celestia Valentina Moreau got married, it wasn't just news in this city. It was everywhere.

"Thank you," I said, looking back at Mrs. Collins. "You're very kind."

"Traffic, was it?" Mr. Collins asked with a knowing grin.

"Something like that," I said easily. "It's been one of those weeks."

"Ah, yes. I know the kind," he said, amused. "Well, I'm glad you made it, son. Your wife's been holding the fort quite well."

"She always does," I replied quietly, meeting Val's eyes again for a moment.

Something unspoken passed between us, a small spark under all the noise and light. She looked more at ease now, shoulders less tense, like the storm she'd been bracing for had finally eased.

My gaze drifted past her, landing on Avery and Chad. Avery's smile didn't quite reach her eyes. She looked composed — poised, even — but there was a flicker beneath the surface, the kind that only someone who knew her well could see. It wasn't just surprise; it was something sharper. The kind of look someone gave when they realized they'd lost a game they thought they'd already won. Still, buried under that tension was something else… something almost wistful. Like a part of her was glad to see me again, but also hated herself for it.

Chad, on the other hand, looked genuinely pleased. "Kai," he said, stepping forward with that easy grin of his. "Man, it's been forever."

"Yeah," I said, shaking his hand firmly. "Didn't expect to see you here."

He chuckled. "Same here. Guess life's funny like that, huh?"

Avery finally found her voice. "Well, well… the elusive Mr. Tanaka." Her tone was smooth, teasing, the kind that carried a little too much meaning beneath it.

I gave a polite smile. "Avery. It's been a while."

She tilted her head slightly, still holding that perfect smile. "Long enough."

Mr. and Mrs. Collins exchanged a knowing glance, clearly pleased by the easy familiarity between us all. They didn't know the history — not really — but they saw something they understood: connection, shared roots, a sense of familiarity that made them smile.

People like them believed that business wasn't just built on profit or deals — it was built on people who could stand together, even after years apart. And for the moment, at least, that's exactly what it looked like.

Mrs. Collins turned to her husband. "You know," she said softly, "I do love seeing couples like this. It reminds me of us, doesn't it?"

He chuckled. "Careful now, you'll make them blush."

Val smiled — a small, genuine one this time — the kind I hadn't seen in weeks. And then, before I could even process it, she took a step closer and slipped her hand through my arm.

It was subtle, graceful, something done out of formality, the way a wife might do in public. But I caught the faintest tremor in her fingers, the warmth of her skin against mine. For a moment, I wasn't sure if it was just for show… or if she needed the steadiness as much as I did.

Across from us, Avery's eyes flicked down, catching the gesture. Just for a split second, her smile faltered — the tiniest crack in her polished composure before she smoothed it over again. She laughed at something Chad said, but I could tell her attention was still on us.

Val didn't say anything, and neither did I. But she held onto my arm, her posture easy, elegant, and somewhere deep down, I could tell it wasn't just formality anymore. Maybe it was a quiet reminder to both of us — and maybe, a small victory over Avery.

Val smiled again, softer this time. The kind that used to be mine.

I wanted to hold on to it, but I knew better than to think it meant everything was fine.

Not yet.

Because standing there, shaking hands and exchanging pleasantries under the golden lights, I couldn't ignore the truth that lingered behind it all — the reason she hadn't expected me to come.

The reason things had started to change between us long before tonight.

And as Mr. Collins moved on to greet someone else, I felt that thought settle deep in my chest — heavy, familiar.

The moment I'd walked in was only half the story.

The real one started hours before this.

When I made the decision to come.

---

To be continued...

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