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He looks up again, searching for his father in the crowd, his jaw set.

“He’s in the corner now. With my mom,” he says and audibly swallows. “We should go now, while he’s not in the midst of the crowd.”

I nod and give him a reassuring smile. “Okay.”

His face is full of determination as he takes my hand and strides toward his dad. The anxiety about what’s about to happen instantly sobers me up, and I hurry to keep up with his long strides.

When we’re about ten feet away, I notice his brother is part of the group too, and I inwardly groan. I guess this will be a big family reunion then.

Chapter 22

Hayden

My father looks the same as he did ten years ago.

He towers over my mother in a pristine dark suit which no doubt cost more than most people’s rent. And while outwardly he wears a friendly face, I see the disapproval in his eyes the second he spots me.

I take a deep breath and try to calm my nerves. I’m an adult. I’m grown. He has no control over me. I force my face into a calm and friendly expression as I come to a halt in front of them.

“Hayden,” my mom says, a small smile on her face. She’s not a person who shows a lot of emotions, but she is the only one in the group who seems at least slightly happy to see me.

“Hey, Mom. You look amazing.”

She’s wearing an emerald-green evening gown, her hair is pinned up into an elaborate hairstyle that is genuinely impressive, and her large green earrings perfectly complement her dress.

“Thank you,” she says politely, her gaze landing on Robin’s and my joined hands.

I’m about to greet my father and introduce Robin, but my brother beats me to it.

“Hayden made it, and he brought his Robin,” he says in a teasing tone, no doubt trying to embarrass me because I accidentally called her my Robin earlier.

“Yeah. Hi, Dad. This is Robin,” I say, and she disentangles her hand from mine to shake my father’s hand. I instantly wrap my arm around her waist, needing to touch her, needing her to anchor me so I can get through this moment.

“It’s nice to meet you,” Robin says politely, shaking his hand and giving everyone a warm smile.

“Nice to meet you,” my father says, and he sounds sincere. But he’s always been good at putting up a front, and while people know he’s a cunning businessman, he also reads as friendly yet intense in social settings.

Then my father finally addresses me. “It’s a surprise to see you. How come you’re here?”

“Christopher invited me,” I say matter-of-factly.

“And we’re happy to have you,” my father says, and I almost roll my eyes at that. “But you’ve been invited every year and you’ve never showed up.” Although his question might sound unassuming, I know it’s filled with a mountain of accusations. I refrain from pointing out that I’ve never received invites to anything, but that wouldn’t work in my favor right now.

“It’s quite a drive just to attend a gala. I happened to already be in town this year, so I was able to make it,” I lie.

They don’t even know where I live.

“Right. You’re here for Darlene’s project.”

My mother averts her gaze with shame. I grit my teeth in anger but keep my expression neutral. My father has always spoken unkindly of my mom’s aunt, and I wish she wouldn’t let it get to her. She shouldn’t be ashamed of Darlene, and I’m disappointed that she lets him influence her thoughts like that.

“Yeah,” I say, and when I remember that I’m supposed to try to be nice for Robin’s sake, I blurt out, “You’re all invited. You should be receiving an invite in the mail. Robin is helping me plan the funeral. Well, I guess I’m helping her.”

“Is that so?” My father raises an eyebrow.

“Yes,” she says, her voice steady, but she leans into my body, and I squeeze her waist a little tighter.

My father tracks her movement, and I know he’s assessing her. “And how did you become involved with this ridicule?”