I was already dressed and descending the stairs, one careful step at a time. My palms were damp. My breathing came shallow and uneven, like my chest couldn't decide if it wanted to collapse or explode. I didn't even know what I was more nervous about, the stupid crush I should've buried years ago,or the possibility that he might still remember me.

The staircase curved downward in a slow arc, and the warm chandelier light spilled over everything like melted gold. My dress brushed against my legs as I moved, whispering, mocking my heartbeat. I gripped the railing for balance, afraid my knees might give way at any second.

As I reached the last few steps, I caught a glimpse of the dining room...glasses clinking softly, murmured conversations, the soft clatter of cutlery. My cousins were already seated, faces eager and oblivious. My mom and dad sat together, straight-backed, performing elegance like it was a show.

And then...

him.

My eyes collided with his.

Calhoun Halston.

For a moment, the world muted itself. I couldn't even hear my own breathing anymore. He was... different. More solid. Broader shoulders beneath the black shirt he wore, the sleeves rolled a little up his forearms like he couldn't bother with full elegance. His jaw was sharper, a shadow of stubble defining every line. He looked older than the boy I remembered-but those eyes...

Those icy grey eyes that could pierce through bone and intentions.

I looked away immediately, heat rushing to my face.

Stupid. Why am I reacting like this?

I walked toward the table and sat next to Jeremy-my talkative, irritating, weirdly comforting cousin. But even with Jeremy's constant buzzing energy beside me, I could feel those grey eyes still on me.

Which only meant one thing:

He remembered me too.

"It's a pleasure having your family here, Mr. Halston," Mom said, her polite smile perfectly placed.

Mr. Halston smiled back. "The pleasure's all ours." His eyes swept calmly across the room like he was assessing some expensive painting collection.

Mr. Halston looked like he was in his early fifties-tall, dignified, with mostly grey hair that somehow made him look more powerful. His wife, beside him, was beautifully poised, elegant in a cold, quiet way. She didn't smile much. Actually, she didn't smile at all.

Suddenly, the soft hum of the room shifted.

The attention pulled-no, snapped, toward the stairs behind me.

Betty was descending.

And of course, she looked picture perfect. She always did, like the world simply adjusted to compliment her beauty.

"Oh my..." Dad said, surprised, sounding almost emotional. He stood up instantly, walking to Betty as though she were a bride already. He held her hand proudly and guided her toward the table.

Mr. Halston rose, smiling broadly. "Wow, Mr. Stewart," he said with a deep, approving tone. "I can see you've kept your end of the bargain."

Mrs. Halston nodded and added, "She looks gorgeous, Mrs. Stewart. You've done an excellent job raising this beauty."

I turned slightly and looked at Calhoun.

He didn't look impressed.

He barely even lifted his eyes, like he'd been forced to come here. He didn't look like a man excited to meet his future wife.

But just as I dropped my gaze, he lifted his.

I diverted mine instantly, heart thudding.

"Come on, Cal... go kiss her hand or something," Mrs. Halston whispered sharply to him.

He exhaled quietly–annoyed? bored?-and stood up.

Betty reached the table, hands trembling just a little. I could tell she was nervous, though she tried her best to disguise it behind a small smile.

Calhoun took her hand gently and kissed it.

Something twisted inside me-tight and bitter.

I couldn't be jealous. No.

I had no right to be.

They sat down, everyone adjusting their positions. The room settled into an awkward quietness. Even Jeremy stopped talking for a second, which was shocking. I stared down at my plate, determined not to raise my head for anything.

"So, Calhoun... I heard you just opened a new company downtown," Dad said, trying to warm up the atmosphere. "It's cool. Your parents must be proud."

"Of course we are," Mr. Halston responded quickly. "He's been a good boy."

"Well, Mr. Stewart..." Mrs. Halston suddenly began, her gaze landing directly on me. "You didn't mention you had another daughter."

"Oh, right. I'm sorry, we should have..." Mom cut in, gesturing to me. "This is Madeline, my daughter. She's almost done with college and soon would be married off."

That stung.

It shouldn't have, but it did.

Like my entire existence boiled down to being "married off."

Like I wasn't a person-just a future bride on standby.

Still, I swallowed the lump in my throat and forced a small smile at the Halstons. "Nice to meet you, Mr. and Mrs. Halston."

"The pleasure is all ours, beauty," Mr. Halston said kindly.

But Mrs. Halston's face twisted ever so slightly, like something about me offended her.

"Well... I mean, the only beauty tonight is Calhoun's wife-to-be..." she began, before her husband shot her a silencing glare.

I already knew she didn't like me.

Honestly, I didn't like her either.

Her voice alone irritated me.

"Anyways..." Dad said quickly, trying to shift the air. "I believe we'll be starting the preparation immediately. So, Betty, what do you think?"

For the first time, Betty spoke. "I'd love that, Daddy."

"Wow! Betty, you've fallen in love already, I thought-ouch!" Jeremy gasped as Mom kicked him under the table.

Mrs. Halston chuckled softly. "Well, you can't blame her. Our son's a catch."

I glanced at Calhoun.

He was just eating quietly, like this entire dinner had nothing to do with him.

He hadn't said a single unnecessary word.

He was there, but not present.

The table buzzed with talk about weddings, arrangements, dates. All things I cared nothing about.

"You okay?" Jeremy whispered, poking my shoulder gently. "You've been so quiet tonight. Unlike you."

He'd always been closer to me than Betty. He knew more about me than almost anyone-except the crush. That part, I would take to the grave.

"I'm fine," I said softly. "This is Beth's night, remember?"

He shrugged, accepting my lie for now.

"I'll be in the States during that time, so it won't work for me."

Those were the first words I heard from Calhoun all night.

My body reacted before my brain did-a sharp vibration through my spine, heat crawling up my neck.

"Oh, is that so?" Mom asked, concerned. "Then I guess we'll have to reschedule it to some other date then..."

Betty dropped her spoon. "But... I want it as soon as possible. I mean, if we have to change the date, it should be sooner, right?"

"Betty..." Mom shot her a warning look before facing the Halstons again. "We'll figure out a date."

I felt invisible.

Like nothing at this table involved me.

Like I shouldn't even be here.

I wanted to stand and leave, but I didn't. Because those grey eyes were still holding me down-not aggressively, but intensely, curiously, knowingly.

Finally, I stood. "I'll be back, I just need to use the restroom."

Mom nodded absentmindedly.

The moment I closed the bathroom door behind me, my composure collapsed.

I let out a huge sigh and leaned against the sink.

My face in the mirror was a flushed pink. My chest rose and fell too fast.

Maybe he knew what his gaze was doing to me.

Maybe he did it on purpose.

Maybe I was imagining everything.

I splashed cold water on my face, trying to reset myself.

God. This is Beth's fiancé.

I need to snap out of whatever this is.

I can't be the girl who ruins her sister's marriage.

The doorknob twisted.

I turned sharply and almost fainted.

Calhoun.

Standing in front of me like he belonged in that small, warm-lit bathroom.

And somehow looking even more handsome up close.

The inky black hair falling slightly over his forehead.

The sculpted jaw.

The grey eyes that dragged every breath out of my lungs.

And those lips...

His presence alone made my body forget how to function.

"Wh... what are you doing? You shouldn't be in here," I stammered, my voice embarrassingly shaky, almost a moan.

One corner of his mouth lifted.

"Wow... oh, so you did remember me."

He stepped closer,slowly, casually, hands still in his pockets.

He stopped right in front of me, only a breath away.

"And you didn't even bother to say hi."

My heart was thudding hard from how close he stood and the scent of his cologne wrapping around me.

"Um, I..." I swallowed. "Someone might see us."

"What does that matter?" His voice dropped. "It's not like we're having sex or something."

Oh my God. Did he just say that?

"It's not about that," I hissed. "You're supposed to be in there with Betty-"

He placed one hand on the sink behind me, effectively trapping me between his arm and the counter. "I looked for the girl I saved to come back and thank me," he said, eyes scanning my face, "but instead I found out how ungrateful she is."

"I'm not ungrateful, okay? I just didn't think you'd still remember me." I looked at him, then quickly at the door to make sure no one was there.

Calhoun glanced at the door too, then back at me. "What are you so scared of, Maddie?"

He was enjoying this. Enjoying watching me squirm. He had nothing to lose... but I did.

"Fine," I muttered, "what do you want? A thank you?"

He smirked. "I want more than a thank you. You owe me more than that."

"You do know you're supposed to be married to my sister..."

"Fuck that," he cut in sharply. "That's bullshit."

I clutched my chest dramatically. "Ouch. That hurts."

"Drop the act." He stepped even closer. "Steven snitched on you and-"

"Steven?" My heart skipped. Steven, Calhoun's best friend. Years ago, I had begged him to help me find out if Calhoun liked me too. God, what was I thinking?

I cleared my throat and looked away. "Whatever you heard, you heard wrong. I haven't even talked to Steven in forever."

Calhoun raised a brow. "You don't even know what I wanted to say yet. Which means... you actually told Steven something."

"We've stayed here too long." I tried to push the conversation away. "I'll go first-"

"I'm leaving for Canada tomorrow," he said suddenly. "Every time I come here, you're never around. So I figured I should tell you... this might be the last time we see each other. Until next Christmas."

I froze. My mouth moved before my brain caught up.

"Do you love Betty?" I blurted.

He looked shocked for a second. I cursed myself.

"You don't have to," I rushed. "I mean.. I'm sorry, I just-"

"No," he said calmly. "We're just meeting for the first time-"

I didn't let him finish.

I kissed him.

I didn't know where the courage came from...maybe because he was leaving tomorrow, maybe because this might be my one and only chance. But I grabbed it.

His hands slid to my waist instantly, pulling me closer. He kissed me back, slow at first, then deeper...taking control completely. He slipped his tongue into my mouth, exploring me like he had all the time in the world. My fingers tangled in his hair as I melted into him.

"Hm... hmm..." I moaned softly when his fingers gripped my waist tighter. Too tight. I knew those marks would stay.

His scent filled my head... god, he smelled good. Too good.

And then-

"Maddie?" Jeremy's voice echoed from behind the door.

My heart jumped out of my chest. I pushed against Calhoun, but he didn't move. I had to step back myself.

"You in there?" Jeremy called.

"No!" I said quickly, eyes darting to Calhoun who was already smirking. "Yeah-anything?"

"Any-anything?" Jeremy repeated. "You've been gone for ages."

I straightened my dress and my hair, which was a mess. "I'll be out in a sec. I just had a... um... runny stomach."

Calhoun chuckled under his breath. Heat crawled up my cheeks. I wanted to sink into the floor.

Jeremy tried the door, but it was locked. "Hurry up. Everyone thought you fell in. And their 'perfect' in-law is AWOL."

"I'll be there. Just go," I said until his footsteps faded.

I turned to Calhoun, cheeks burning. "I... I have to go."

"You should've thought of that before kissing me," he said, fixing his suit. "But I'll take that as your way of saying thank you."

Then he left.

The door closed behind him, and reality punched me hard.

What was I thinking? Kissing my sister's fiancé. Part of me regretted it-but another part... was glad I did.

Does that make me a terrible sister?

I stared at my reflection in the mirror. "Is this what I want? To hurt my sister because of my selfish feelings?" I whispered. "God, why did he have to be betrothed to Beth..."

I sighed, ran my fingers through my hair one last time, and opened the door.

But the moment I stepped into the hallway, Jeremy appeared out of nowhere. His expression was unreadable - furious, confused, betrayed. My heart pounded painfully.

He must have seen Calhoun walk out.

"Start explaining, Maddie," he said. His voice shook with anger. "Or I'm telling Beth."

MADELINE'S POV

"I... I thought you left." I stammered, turning fully to his direction. "What... what are..."

Jeremy didn't answer my stammer. Instead, his eyes narrowed, his jaw tightened. The moment stretched, thick and heavy between us, the faint clinking of cutlery and the distant murmur from upstairs making everything else feel miles away. "What were you doing in there with Calhoun?" he demanded, stepping forward, the air between us taut with accusation.

For a second, I wanted to play dumb, to deflect, to hide behind the sarcastic walls I'd built my whole life. "With who? I... I don't know what you're talking about," I mumbled, hoping my voice didn't betray how badly my chest was fluttering.

He raised a brow, a sharp, dangerous tilt that made me flinch. "You really wanna play that game? Fine. I'll go out there and we'll see what your parents will say..."

My heart leapt into my throat. Oh God, no. Not like this. Not now. I waved my hands in desperation. "Okay, okay, okay. I'll tell you everything... when dinner's over!" My words tumbled out like a prayer, a plea for mercy.

"Why not now?" His voice didn't soften. There was no patience here, just that familiar, relentless, probing gaze.

"Because..." I exhaled, my hands twisting together nervously. "This place isn't safe, and we... we have to finish dinner first."

Jeremy's lips pressed into a thin line, eyes still fixed on me as though he could read my every thought. "Fine," he said at last, throwing his hands up in mock surrender, "but it better be solid." And with that, he stalked off, his footsteps echoing down the hall.

I exhaled shakily, forcing my shoulders to relax. God, I needed a solid explanation. Something believable, something that could keep me from being torn apart piece by piece in front of everyone.

When I returned to the dining room, the atmosphere was still buzzing with the final threads of conversation. Plates clinked, silverware scraped, laughter mixed with polite murmurs. But all eyes were on me the moment I stepped through the doorway.

"I'm sorry for taking so much time," I mumbled, my voice small.

"Don't be, you're not important in this dinner anyway," Mrs. Halston said, her words sharp and deliberate, her smirk cutting like a knife. I turned toward her, willing myself not to hiss or slam my hand against the table.

I slid into my seat quietly. No one else addressed me; they continued their discussions about the wedding - seating arrangements, guest lists, floral patterns. I tried desperately to blend in, to become invisible, but I couldn't escape the heat of his eyes on me. Calhoun hadn't once looked away since I had walked in.

I wanted to look casual. I tried, really I did. But every movement felt weighted, every breath stolen under the pressure of knowing what had just happened in the bathroom. The kiss lingered, the taste of him still on my lips, the feel of his hands pressing into mine.

Jeremy, on the other hand, had that knowing look. He was sitting across from me, subtly observing, like he always did. He'd known me since we were kids - better than anyone else. He could tell when I was lying, hiding, or even hiding from myself.

I bit my lip, trying not to squirm under his gaze. He always looked out for me, even when I was an ungrateful brat. Even now, he just watched. Waiting.

Time dragged, and the Halstons finally began standing. The air shifted, a sense of departure threading tension through the room. "Dinner has been nice so far; I hope we'll do this again sometime," Mr. Halston said politely, smiling at my parents.

Dad rose from his seat. "Thanks again for coming over. It's been... pleasant." His voice carried the usual stiffness, the careful diplomacy that seemed to surround him like armor.

Then, out of nowhere, Betty piped up, her tone bright and clear, piercing through the lingering tension. "I want to meet Calhoun again... I mean... to get to know each other."

Mrs. Halston's smile softened, her poised elegance flickering with approval. "That's a wonderful idea, Betty..."

But Calhoun interrupted sharply, like a blade slicing through polite conversation. "I won't be available. I'll be moving to Canada tomorrow, remember?" His voice carried finality, edged with subtle frustration.

Mom, always the negotiator, rose slightly. "It's okay, Calhoun, anytime you're free..."

"But moving to Canada is not that necessary," Mrs. Halston added smoothly, her tone rehearsed, practiced.

"Actually, it is," Mr. Halston interjected. "But one day wouldn't hurt..."

"Dad..." Calhoun glanced at his father, pleading with his eyes. "Of course it would."

Betty's face lit up as she stood and wrapped her hand around his arm, a gesture that made my chest tighten and twist uncomfortably. I looked away, forcing a smile, even as a part of me felt a strange, guilty satisfaction that it wasn't mutual. "Yay! I guess we'll see again tomorrow then," she said cheerfully.

Finally, the Halstons departed. Their car lights faded down the driveway, leaving a strange emptiness behind. Upstairs, Betty and Mom vanished, probably discussing wedding plans with giddy excitement. Dad settled into his chair with a magazine, distant and unread. The rest of the cousins disappeared to their rooms, except for Jeremy and me.

It was just the two of us left in the kitchen. And the tension crackled like electricity in the silent space.

I started on the dishes, methodically, almost mindlessly, trying to find normalcy in the clinking plates. Jeremy, however, decided to help. I caught him staring, smirk dancing on his lips.

"If you know you'll be glaring at me all night, then why bother helping with the dishes?" I asked, my voice half teasing, half wary.

He dropped a plate into the sink, the ceramic ringing sharply. "I've been wondering," he said, eyebrows lifting, "what possible reason could you possibly have to be... knocked up by your sister's fiancé?"

I froze mid-motion, the words crashing into my chest. Knocked up? The thought swirled in my head, firing waves of heat and shame. My cheeks flushed crimson. "Isn't that... what happened in there?" he chuckled, teasing mercilessly. "If not, why would you turn crimson at the mention of it?"

I turned away, grabbing a towel to dry my hands, trying to hide my embarrassment. "Can we not... like... do this here?"

"But no one's even here," he countered with a grin. "Come on, spill."

I sighed, resigned. I leaned fully against the kitchen island, feeling the wood cool beneath my palms. "Fine... I... let's say, I have a crush on Calhoun."

His jaw dropped, an exaggerated expression that made me roll my eyes. "So, you did get knocked up."

"No! Gosh, Jeremy?!" I whispered sharply, mortified. "What is it with you and getting knocked up?"

He smirked, unrepentant. "It'll be cool."

"For you or for me?" I asked, half joking, half desperate. But he only shrugged, that knowing, teasing shrug that said he wasn't about to take me seriously.

I exhaled, leaning back, letting the tension drip from my shoulders. "Listen," I murmured, voice softer now, "Calhoun and I knew each other way before I even found out that he was betrothed to Beth. You remember the bully and all that?"

His expression shifted instantly, realization dawning. "Wait... that long?"

"Yeah," I continued, voice trembling slightly. "And I didn't even think he'd still recognize me. I thought... that moment meant nothing."

Jeremy looked at me, wide-eyed, confusion painted clearly across his face. He perched on the edge of the island, elbows resting on his knees. "So... what now? Are you getting back with him?"

I opened my mouth, then closed it again. I couldn't speak the truth even to him...my own best friend, my confidant...because I knew the answer: no matter how hard I tried to suppress it, my heart would always betray me, and I'd end up hurt, tangled in something forbidden.

Jeremy leaned back, exhaling heavily. "Look," he said finally, voice gentle but firm. "Whatever it is you're doing, just remember... it's your sister's fiancé we're talking about here."

I swallowed hard, my throat tight. "Then... what should I do?" My voice cracked, betraying the uncertainty I tried to hide. "I don't want to hurt Beth. You know that."

He stood, brushing past me with the same ease and confidence he always carried. "The Maddie I know will figure it out herself, regardless of what other people think." He smiled briefly, that half-smile that reminded me why I trusted him more than anyone. Then he walked away.

I watched him leave, feeling the emptiness settle around me, heavy and suffocating. Maybe he was right. Maybe I could figure this out. Maybe I could navigate this storm of heartache, lust, and guilt the same way I always did - trusting my instincts, listening to the voice inside that told me what was mine to feel.

No matter how messy. No matter how wrong it might seem.

Even if it meant loving the impossible.