My thumb traced along the inside of my ring finger, where a wedding band once sat.
"Not so fast," I said lightly.
"This is still my children's graduation party," I continued, my voice steady, almost playful. "The celebration hasn't even started yet."
I paused, letting the words sink in. Somewhere behind Nico, one of his men shifted his weight. The room had gone very quiet.
"Why would I leave now?"
Then I turned my gaze toward the entrance, my expression calm but unreadable.
"Kids," I called out clearly, my voice carrying across the silent hall. "Come on in."
Every head in the room turned toward the doors.
The air seemed to freeze.
And then two students in crisp school uniforms stepped inside.
