(Michelle Lui's POV)
Dinner ended with the kind of polite, strained smiles you give relatives during awkward holiday reunions.
Everyone stood up slowly, chairs scraping against the polished floors. The restaurant's warm amber lighting made everything feel softer, gentler— which was a lie, because the tension was still thick enough to spread on toast.
Andy stretched dramatically. "Okay! Time to head back."
Kate looped her arm through mine instantly. "I call walking with Michelle!"
"Same," Lara added, appearing on my other side.
Jeff and Vince were bickering about who would pay the tip.
Jasmine was fixing her lip gloss in her compact mirror.
Anthony stood a little apart, hands in pockets, eyes elsewhere.
Steven remained utterly still, like movement might trigger something he couldn't control.
The group began filing out onto the sidewalk— glittering city lights, crisp night air, gentle murmurs of passing pedestrians.
I inhaled slowly.
Finally.
Fresh air.
