Chapter 6: The Fiancé Reveal

As I reenter the ballroom, the brightness and noise hit me like a freight train. I plaster on a smile so forced it hurts my cheeks.

My eyes dart to Lilly, who’s laughing beside Luis, completely unaware of the chaos swirling in my head. Nick appears out of nowhere, his eyes narrowing when he sees me. “Where have you been?” “Strategizing,” I reply breezily. “You know, how to outshine Lilly on her big night. Think I’ve got a solid plan.”

He doesn’t even crack a smile. Typical.

“Well, stop whatever you’re doing and get up front,” he snaps, grabbing my arm. “It’s time to meet the Vanderwilsons.” Fantastic. Just what I needed—another round of awkward introductions with him staring at me like this is a soap opera and he’s the star.

As I’m dragged toward the front of the room, I can feel Luis’s eyes burning into my back like twin lasers of regret and awkwardness. It’s the kind of look that says, Yep, I messed up, but let’s pretend this isn’t the absolute trainwreck it is. I keep my chin up, trying to channel the elegance of someone who didn’t just have her entire evening derailed by the shocking revelation that her garden flirtation is, in fact, her sister’s fiancé.

Nick’s grip on my arm is ironclad, his fingers digging in as if he’s afraid I’ll pull a runner again. Smart move, really—I’m about one uncomfortable glance from Luis away from climbing out a window. “Smile,” Nick mutters through gritted teeth as we approach Lilly and Luis.

“I am smiling,” I hiss back, my lips stretched so tight I could double as a mannequin. My cheeks already hurt, and I’m pretty sure my expression is bordering on psychotic. But Nick doesn’t seem to care.

We stop just shy of the happy couple, and I swear the air around us becomes heavier. Lilly is glowing—her laughter fills the space as she chats with a group of admirers, completely oblivious to the personal soap opera unfolding three feet away. Luis stands beside her, his posture stiff, his jaw tight. His eyes flicker to mine for a brief second before darting away, like a guilty puppy caught chewing on the furniture.

“Agatha,” Nick snaps, jolting me from my thoughts. “Stop standing there like a statue and introduce yourself to the Vanderwilsons properly.”

Properly? As if I’m about to curtsy and break into a heartfelt monologue about how thrilled I am to meet the family of my sister’s soon-to-be husband. “Of course,” I say sweetly, plastering on the fakest smile I can muster.

Nick steers me toward Sarah, Luis’s older sister, who greets me with a warm smile. She looks effortlessly regal, her hands resting protectively over her swollen belly. “It’s lovely to meet you, Agatha,” she says kindly, her tone genuine.

“Likewise,” I reply, my voice pitched an octave higher than usual in an attempt to sound composed.

Next is Matt, Luis’s younger brother, who looks like he’s one inappropriate joke away from being disowned. He gives me a firm handshake and an easygoing grin. “Good to meet you,” he says, his eyes sparkling with mischief. He looks like he could be Luis’s twin but more blonde and with blue eyes.

 “Likewise,” I repeat, because apparently, my vocabulary has been reduced to one word.

Then there’s Amelia, the sister closest to my age. Her eyes light up when we’re introduced, and she practically bounces as she takes my hand. “Finally, someone normal!” she exclaims, earning a scandalized look from Sarah.

I let out a surprised laugh, feeling a flicker of genuine amusement for the first time all night. “I’m not sure ‘normal’ is the right word, but I’ll take it.”

Amelia grins. “We’re going to get along just fine.”

Finally, I’m introduced to Luis’s mother, Maryly, who radiates kindness. Her soft curls frame her face, and her smile is so warm it nearly melts the ice around my heart. Nearly. “You’re Lilly’s sister?” she asks, her tone so gentle I almost forget I’m drowning in an ocean of drama.

“Yes,” I say, my voice cracking slightly. “It’s lovely to meet you.”

Maryly takes my hand in hers, squeezing it gently. “You have a beautiful family,” she says, her words sincere.

I glance at Lilly, who is now beaming at Luis like he’s the human embodiment of a fairy tale ending. My stomach churns.

And then, there’s Luis.

As we finally come face to face for the third time this evening, the tension in the air becomes unbearable. He looks impeccable in his tailored suit, exuding an effortless charm that makes me want to punch a wall. His polite smile is meant for the crowd, but I can feel the weight of everything unspoken in his gaze.

“Luis, this is my sister, Agatha,” Lilly says, her voice filled with pride. “I know you’ve already met, but now it’s official.” She laughs, completely oblivious to the silent battle raging beneath the surface.

I extend my hand, my heart pounding as his fingers brush mine. The touch is brief, professional, but the electricity from earlier is still there, crackling like static.

“Agatha,” he says evenly, his tone betraying none of the chaos I see in his eyes.

“Luis,” I reply, my voice sharper than intended.

Lilly glances between us, her smile faltering for a moment before she shrugs it off. “I told Luis all about you,” she says, her tone conspiratorial. “He thinks you’re hilarious.”

I raise an eyebrow. “Oh, really? What’s the funniest thing you’ve heard about me?”

Luis opens his mouth to respond, but Lilly cuts him off. “Oh, you know, just the way you always manage to turn every situation into a comedy routine. Like tonight, for example—where were you earlier? Sneaking off to avoid meeting everyone?”

The room feels like it tilts for a moment, but I recover quickly, flashing a grin. “Just getting some fresh air. You know me—always need a breather before diving into the chaos.”

“Hmm,” Lilly hums, clearly unconvinced but too polite to press further.

I catch Luis’s eye for a fleeting second, and the weight of everything unspoken threatens to crush me. I can’t do this.

“Oh, look! Amelia’s calling me,” I blurt out, pointing vaguely in the direction of the younger sister, who is very much not calling me. “Excuse me!”

Without waiting for a response, I practically sprint across the room, weaving through the crowd until I find a quiet corner near the dessert table. I grab a macaron and shove it into my mouth, hoping the sugar will do something to calm my nerves.

“Nice escape,” a familiar voice says behind me.

I spin around to find Matt leaning casually against the wall, a knowing smirk on his face.

“You saw that, huh?” I mutter, swallowing the macaron too quickly and nearly choking.

“Oh, everyone saw,” he says, his grin widening. “But don’t worry—it was the highlight of the night.”

I groan, burying my face in my hands. “This is a disaster.”

“Depends on how you look at it,” Matt says, his tone light. “From where I’m standing, it’s pretty entertaining.”

I peek at him through my fingers, his easy demeanor oddly comforting. “Glad someone’s enjoying themselves.”

“Oh, come on,” he says, nudging my shoulder. “What’s life without a little chaos?”

I manage a weak laugh, but the weight of everything still lingers. As much as I’d love to hide in this corner for the rest of the night, I know I can’t.

“Thanks for the pep talk,” I say, straightening up. “But I should probably get back out there before Nick comes looking for me again.”

“Good luck,” Matt says, raising his glass in a mock toast.

I take a deep breath, steel myself, and step back into the fray. The night isn’t over yet, and something tells me it’s only going to get messier.