Lavender’s hands clenched into fists as she watched Cedar laugh at something Fern said, his arm casually draped over her shoulders. The sight burned through her, but she didn’t let herself look away. She had spent too many nights avoiding this moment, too many nights pretending everything was fine. It was time to face it. To face him.
She couldn’t stay in the background any longer. She couldn’t let him control her.
She was stronger now. She had trained. She had learned. And now, she was going to stand up for herself, even if it meant standing alone.
With one last deep breath, Lavender pushed off the wall and made her way through the crowd. She felt eyes on her as she moved. Curious, judging, wondering what she was going to do. It didn’t matter. None of it mattered anymore.
When she reached the center of the room, where Cedar stood, the noise around her seemed to quiet, as if the air itself held its breath.
Cedar’s eyes met hers. Fern, standing beside him, gave Lavender a sharp, almost triumphant look, as if daring her to make a scene.
Lavender’s heart hammered in her chest, but she didn’t look away. She couldn’t. Not now.