Then his gaze shifted—and froze.
Emily entered quietly, wearing a navy-blue dress that hugged her figure with understated grace. Her hair was neatly pulled back, and on either side of her were two children—a boy and a girl—both around six years old. Their faces were calm yet curious, their wide eyes drinking in the sight before them.
Nathaniel hadn’t expected her to show up.
Vanessa leaned toward him and whispered, “Is that your ex-wife?”
He nodded, distracted.
“And… the kids?” she asked sharply, eyeing them.
He replied too quickly, “Must be someone else’s,” though his stomach knotted.
As Emily approached, a hush swept through the crowd. She stopped a few feet from him, the twins close by her side.
“Hello, Nathaniel,” she said evenly.
He forced a smile. “Emily. Glad you could make it.”
Her eyes flicked around the lavish setting. “It’s… quite the display.”
He chuckled lightly. “What can I say? Things have changed.”
Her brow lifted. “Yes, they have.”
