Tanner clenched his jaw for a second, then strolled over, doing his best to sound chill. "Hey, are you looking for Emily's present? Let me help you out."

As soon as he said it, Tanner wished he could take it back. He knew exactly what had gone down yesterday. The gossip hadn't died down at all, and a bunch of his friends had already reached out, hoping he'd spill the details since everyone knew he and Tristan were tight.

Tristan had walked out on his engagement party with Cynthia Rivera right in front of everyone, just to go after his girlfriend. The guests had all seen it happen. No one said much at the time, but you could bet they were all whispering about it as soon as they got home, probably making up half the stuff they said.

The whole thing had blown up. Tanner had already heard every version of the rumor there was. Some people said Tristan's girlfriend was pregnant and forcing him into marriage, others claimed he was cheating on both women. Everyone had their own take.

The party might be over, but the tension between the Davis and Rivera families was worse than ever. Tanner wasn't even family, but even he could feel how icy things had gotten.

Now was absolutely the worst time to bring up Emily Blair in front of Steven Davis. But Tristan just went along with it, like it was no big deal.

Tanner winced and shot a quick look at Steven. Just as he expected, Steven's face was stone-cold, his eyes locked on Tristan's back.

At least Steven didn't say anything right away, so Tanner let out a breath and started searching for the gift, keeping his head down.

He didn't find it, but Tristan did. Tristan picked up the gift box, not too big or too small, and just got up, ready to leave without saying a word.

Steven finally snapped. He smacked his palm on the sofa. "Tristan Davis, you walk into your grandfather's house and don't even say hello? Is that how I raised you?"

Steven might be old, but when he was angry, you could still feel it in the room.

Tanner jumped, lips pressed tight, staying behind Tristan.

Tristan stopped, his voice flat and cold. “Grandpa, I'm leaving."

Steven's tone got even colder. "You came back just to pick up a gift? You can't even

say a few words to me? Is that how you treat your grandfather?"

Tristan let out a short, sarcastic laugh. “Grandpa, the second I walked in, you already looked pissed off. How am I supposed to say anything?"

Steven's eyes narrowed, still glaring at his grandson. "You know why I'm

upset it's about last night Del

know how hard had to work to explain things to everyone? God

knows what our friends and relatives are saying about you."

Tristan lifted his chin and gave a half-smile. "Grandpa, let me say this again. I never wanted to get engaged to Cynthia Rivera. You set that upbehind my back. If there's a mess to clean up, it's yours, not mine. I don't feel guilty, and it's not fair for you to take it out on me. I was going to stay, but with you acting like this just cant. And, people want to talk behind out backs, let them. As long as they don't say it to the Davis family's

face, what does it matter?"

Steven took a slow, shaky breath, his face turning red. The butler noticed and

hurried over, patting Steven's back. "Sir, please calm down. Don't get so worked up. It's not good for your health."

After checking on Steven, the butler looked over at Tristan. "Tristan, please, look at your grandfather. He's not been well lately."

Steven started coughing hard. That finally made Tristan's expression shift. He turned around, and for the

first time, steven got a good look at the bruses on his face Steven's frown deepened. "What happened to your face?"

Tristan walked over, set Emily's gift box aside, and moved closer to his grandfather.