Chapter 1

I stood in the center of the Riverside Hotel's grand ballroom, my ivory dress catching the light from the crystal chandeliers overhead. One hundred and fifty pairs of eyes occasionally flicked in my direction – family members, college friends, colleagues, all dressed in their finest attire, champagne flutes in hand. The string quartet played softly in the corner, the melody floating above the gentle hum of conversation.

My fingers traced the delicate beading on my bodice as I checked my watch for the fifth time. 7:29 PM. The engagement ceremony was scheduled to begin at 7:30 sharp.

Seven years. Talon and I had been together for seven years, since I was seventeen and he was the troubled boy who changed his entire life for me. Seven years of compromises that somehow always seemed to be mine to make.

"He's just running a bit late," my mother whispered, appearing at my elbow in her navy blue dress, her eyes darting nervously around the room. "You know how traffic can be downtown."

I nodded absently, the weight of the diamond on my finger suddenly feeling like an anchor. My throat tightened as memories flickered through my mind – Talon missing my college graduation because Luz had called with car trouble. Talon leaving my birthday dinner early when Luz texted that she needed someone to talk to. The handwritten song he'd composed for me that he later played for Luz because "she was having a bad day."

The doors at the back of the ballroom swung open at 7:31 PM. One minute late.

Talon strode in, looking devastatingly handsome in his tailored suit, his dark hair perfectly styled. He was adjusting his tie, a sheepish smile playing on his lips. Behind him, Luz hovered for just a moment before slipping into the crowd, wearing a dress that was just a shade too white for a guest at an engagement party.

"Sorry I'm late, babe," Talon called across the room, his voice carrying over the music. "Traffic was a nightmare."

Something inside me – something that had been stretched taut for years – finally snapped.

I felt strangely calm as I walked to the center of the room. The quartet sensed the shift in atmosphere and their playing faltered, then stopped.

"I'm sorry," I said, my voice clear and steady. "But there won't be an engagement ceremony tonight. Or a wedding."

Talon froze mid-step, his smile slipping. "Em? What are you talking about?"

"I'm done, Talon." I slid the diamond ring from my finger, the weight lifting as it came free. "I've been done for longer than I've been willing to admit."

A collective gasp rippled through the room. My mother's hand flew to her mouth. My father stepped forward, confusion etched on his face.

"Emerie," Talon said, striding toward me, his voice dropping to that soothing tone he used whenever he thought I was being unreasonable. "You're just nervous. This is normal pre-wedding jitters—"

"It's not jitters," I interrupted, stepping back. "It's seven years of clarity finally breaking through."

I walked to the gift table and placed the ring gently beside the stack of wrapped presents. "I'm sorry for the inconvenience to everyone who came tonight. The hotel has been paid for, so please enjoy the food and drinks."

Talon's face had drained of color. "You're leaving me because I was one minute late?"

"No," I said softly. "I'm leaving because for seven years, I've been one minute away from being your priority."

I turned and walked toward the exit, my heels clicking against the marble floor. Behind me, I could hear Talon stammering explanations to the stunned guests, my mother's distressed voice, and somewhere in the crowd, Luz's distinctive laugh, quickly stifled.

The night air hit my face as I pushed through the hotel's revolving doors, and for the first time in years, I took a deep, full breath. My chest expanded without the familiar tightness that had become so normal I'd stopped noticing it.

I hailed a taxi, gave the driver my address, and watched the glittering hotel recede in the rear window.

One minute late.

Seven years too late.

But for me, right on time.