Chapter 4— You, Me.

Chapter 4— You, Me.

Dinner was a strained affair. The table was set with the good china, the chanderlier glowing softly as her mother served the roast. Benedict sat at the head, already halfway through his second drink, while Kallista picked at her food in silence.

“Have you thought about what you’re going to do next?” Benedict asked, breaking the silence. His tone was neutral, but Kallista knew better than to take it at face value.

“I’m figuring it out,” she replied curtly, her fork clinking against the plate as she set it down.

“You can’t keep drifting, Kallista,” he pressed, swirling his drink. “It’s time to grow up.”

Kallista’s jaw tightened, but she said nothing. Her mother shot Benedict a look, her voice softening as she tried to smooth things over. “We’re all just worried about you, Kallie. You’re smart—you’ll get a place soon.”

“Don’t,” Kallista said flatly. “Just don’t.”

“Penelope and Jaxon should be here soon,” Her mother said again into the tense air, her voice had a forced happiness in it. “They’re bringing dessert.”

“How nice,” Kallista said, not bothering to hide her sarcasm.

“Kallista,” Benedict warned, but his tone was low, disguised like he was concerned.

“What?” she snapped, tired of his games. “I’m just thrilled to see Penelope’s perfect fiancé.”

Her mother shot her a warning look. “Please, for once, can you not make this about you?”

Kallista opened her mouth to retort, but the sound of the front door opening stopped her.

“They’re here!” Dorothea said, rising quickly.

The sound of dual footsteps filled the hallway, and then Penelope appeared, as radiant as ever.

“Kallie!” she exclaimed, rushing forward to pull her into a hug.

Kallista stiffened but forced a smile. “Penelope.”

Penelope pulled back, her smile faltering slightly as she took in Kallista’s appearance. “You look...tired.”

“Thanks,” Kallista said dryly.

Before Penelope could respond, a tall figure stepped into the room. Kallista turned, and the air seemed to leave her lungs.

It was him.

The man from that day. The man whose coat she had ruined. The asshole who had put her on her ass like she weighed nothing. As if she wasn't already down.

It was Jerkface.

The air seemed to shift as Jaxon Hawthorne stepped into view. He was just as she remembered—tall, brooding—and maddeningly handsome. Her memory hadn’t done justice to the sharp angles of his jawline or the piercing intensity of his gaze as his eyes locked onto hers, and recognition flickered in his eyes before they darkened.

“Kallista, this is Jaxon, my fiancé,” Penelope said, oblivious to the tension. “Jaxon, my sister, Kallie.”

Kallista’s heart pounded in her chest as she stared at him, her mind racing.

“You,” She whispered, the word barely audible.

Jaxon’s lips barely moved but as his hard gaze pierced through her, she saw them mouth, “Me.”

Dorothea cleared her throat. “Why don’t we all sit down? Dinner’s ready.”

As they took their seats, Kallista couldn’t help but glance at Jaxon again. His hands resting on the table like he owned it—and maybe he did.

She barely registered Penelope’s yapping about wedding plans and dessert options. Penelope noticed the silence and gave a nervous laugh. “Well, this is...nice, isn’t it? I told Jaxon all about you Kallie. He couldn’t wait to meet you.”

“I'm sure you did,” Kallista muttered under her breath, earning a sharp look from Dorothea.

She looked away from her mother to Jaxon again. She couldn’t tear her eyes away from him. The room seemed to fade as her mind raced, replaying every detail of their last encounter.

Jaxon, however, said nothing but his eyes didn’t leave Kallista’s either, his expression unreadable but unyielding. She felt exposed under his scrutiny, as if he could see right through her.

As he caught her staring, he raised an eyebrow, she looked away quickly, heat rising to her cheeks.

Dinner just became a battlefield she wasn’t ready for.

Then she abruptly stood up. "Excuse me." She walked up the stairs briskly ignoring the pairs of eyes on her.