Chapter 2: When Promises Mean Nothing

Eli came over first, blocking me from view, his voice pitched low.

“Mara, don’t embarrass Grant in front of his family.”

I looked at the person who had been with me through foster care, the one who had once promised he would always stand by my side.

“So I’m the only one who’s allowed to be humiliated?”

Eli’s brow tightened.

Sloane suddenly burst into tears, fumbling with the bracelet as if trying to unfasten it.

“This is all my fault. Mara, don’t be angry. I’ll give it back to you.”

“Keep it on,” Grant said at once, catching her hand.

He turned to me, his voice gone cold.

“The Mercers have always done the drawing this way. You get what you get. Don’t ruin it for everyone.”

I let out a short, sharp laugh.

The banquet hall went quiet.

Eli took the bent brass tag from my hand and pressed it against the edge of the table, slowly forcing it flat.

Metal scraped against wood, a harsh, grating sound.

“Do you have to make a scene?” He shoved the tag back into my palm. “Sloane’s always been insecure. For once, she’s this happy. Can’t you just let her have this?”

I looked past him at Sloane.

She was hiding behind Grant, tears still clinging to her lashes, but the smugness in her eyes was impossible to miss.

Grant set down his glass and walked toward me.

He smelled of the expensive whiskey cologne I’d picked out for him three years ago.

Back then he’d said it was too strong.

Then Sloane said she liked it, and he’d worn it ever since.

He lifted a hand, clearly intending to pull me into his arms the way he always did, as though one hug would be enough to make me smile and clean up their mess again.

I shifted aside, dodging his touch.

His hand hung in midair.

The air in the room grew still.

Whatever casual dismissiveness had been on Grant’s face finally fell away, and his eyes darkened.

A moment later, he withdrew his hand, his voice laced with a condescending reassurance.

“I’ll be at city hall on time tomorrow.”

I gripped the room tag they had forced flat, the crease still etched into the metal, and looked up at him.

He spoke with absolute certainty.

“When have I ever broken a promise to you?”