DEAN

She had changed. Drastically.

That was my first thought when I saw Lily walk into the ballroom.

Gone was the soft-spoken, doll-ish little girl from a decade ago. In place of her was a stunning young woman with a commanding presence.

And yes, I knew her name was actually Lilith now, but I still preferred calling her Lily. It suited her better.

For most of the night, I stood in the shadows, nursing a drink and trying out the desserts while watching her.

I saw the tension in her interactions with her parents—especially her mother. The polite but distant smile she gave her so-called best friend. The way she...