Recognized

Margaret's pov

The living room was already full when I reached the bottom. Everyone had gathered near the wide double doors that opened onto the front porch, like actors waiting for their cue.

Vivian stood at the center, one hand on Laura's arm, the other gesturing gracefully toward the driveway. Dad hovered a step behind, smiling.

And then there was him,Alexander Martinez stepped through the doorway,the black suit hugged his frame in a way that looked effortless and expensive. His dark hair was swept back, a single strand falling across his forehead as he tilted his head to greet Vivian with a polite nod.

"Mrs. Peters," he said, taking Vivian's offered hand and brushing a kiss across her knuckles. "Thank you for having me."

Vivian practically preened. "Alexander, darling, we've been dying to have you here properly.I can't wait to finally call you my son in-law"

Laura stepped forward next, slipping her arm through his with practiced ease. "You're late," she teased, but her tone was all honey. "I was starting to think you'd stand me up at my own wedding week."

"Never," he replied, and the word carried just enough warmth to make the room sigh collectively. He leaned down and pressed a brief kiss to her temple—polite, affectionate, picture-perfect.

I stayed at the edge of the group, half-hidden behind the curve of the grand piano. My pulse hammered in my throat. He hadn't looked my way yet and maybe he wouldn't so I could slip upstairs again, claim a headache and disappear until he leaves so as to avoid the drama between I and Laura stirring up. A drama that has lingered on for years after Laura slept with Alexander on our prom night while I was still dating him and even went ahead to announce that they were suddenly in a relationship a week after.

I didn’t know they were still together and I wouldn’t have even thought of coming back to this hell if I knew the groom was Alexander.

Dad cleared his throat. Being the absent father he was and not knowing half of what I went through all my life,just had to drift the attention to me. ”And this is our other daughter,Margaret. She just flew in today” he announced.

Every head turned.

Alexander's gaze lifted deliberately, like he'd known exactly where I was the entire time.

Our eyes locked.

The same half-second from the window upstairs stretched into something heavier, thicker. Recognition flickering across his face.

"Margaret," he called. "How could I forget her? We all went to high school together”.

"Not that it really matters "Laura immediately chipped in.

I forced my lips into a smile that felt like cracking porcelain. "Small world,Alexander”

He smiled broadly,stepping away from Laura just enough to close the distance between us. He extended his hand.

I had no choice so I placed mine in his.

"Pleasure to meet you once again Margaret ,I guess we're family now" he said.

I pulled my hand back, hoping no one noticed the slight tremor. "Yeah”

Alexander didn't look away from me. "By the way,Margaret is an associate at my firm. Kessler & Hale."

I stood there astonished at his lack of concern,he knew pretty well what I and Laura’s relationship is and he went ahead to let the cat out of the bag after pretending like he didn’t know who I was when he was introduced at the conference.

Vivian's eyebrows shot up. "Your firm?"

"I'm the new managing partner," he explained, finally turning that calm gaze toward the rest of the room. "I was elected last month."

Dad beamed. "Well, isn't that something! It's a small world indeed."

Laura's smile tightened just a fraction. "You never mentioned you worked there, Mags."

The nickname grated. She only used it when she wanted to remind everyone I was the lesser version of her.

"I don't talk much about work at home," I said evenly. "Or at all, really."

Alexander's mouth curved, letting out barely a smile."She's modest. Her billables are among the highest in litigation this quarter. And her last motion for summary judgment was impressive."

He said it casually, like an afterthought, but the praise landed like a grenade in the middle of the room.

Vivian recovered first. "How wonderful,we always knew Margaret was bright."

Laura's fingers tightened on Alexander's sleeve. "We should all move to the dining room. Dinner's almost ready and I'm starving."

The group began to shift, voices overlapping with small talk about the menu and once again,"Laura's rich marriage match". I stayed rooted for a second longer, trying to breathe normally.

Alexander lingered too.

He stepped closer so only I could hear him.

"Margaret.Why didn’t I get a notice from you about this little trip of yours”

The formality was deliberate. Mocking.

"I got permission from the HR and besides,you were here,at the Lintertown branch when I sent the notice" I whispered back.

His eyes traced my face slowly. "Well,I look forward to spending the weekend with you”

My stomach flipped. I couldn't tell if it was fear, anger or something far more dangerous. What was Laura thinking marrying my ex boyfriend?

Before I could respond, Laura called from the doorway. "Alex, darling? Coming?"

He held my gaze one heartbeat longer. "Excuse me."

He walked away, joining Laura with that same effortless grace. She slipped her hand into the crook of his elbow, laughing at something he said. They both looked like the perfect couple.

I pressed my palm to my chest, trying to slow my racing heart.

Dinner was served in the main dining room that had the long mahogany table. I took the seat farthest from the head of the table, hoping distance would help but it didn't.

Alexander sat beside Laura, directly across from me.

Every time I looked up, he was watching.

Under the table, my knee bounced. I gripped the napkin in my lap until my knuckles ached.

Halfway through the main course,he leaned forward slightly, elbows on the table in a way that should have been rude but somehow looked regal.

"Margaret," he said, loud enough for the table to hear. "Tell us more about the Henderson case. I read your brief.The discovery motion was quite impressive."

My fork froze halfway to my mouth.

The Henderson case was still an active,high-profile corporate fraud case with millions at stake. Associates weren't supposed to discuss open matters such as these outside the office, especially not with the managing partner in mixed company.

"I… it's going well sir and I remember it's meant to be very much confidential" I replied instantly,my face buried into my plate.

"Of course." He leaned back, swirling his wine. "Just professional curiosity."

Laura laughed again, but it sounded thinner this time. "Alex is always working,even at family dinners."

Vivian beamed. "A man dedicated to his career. Laura's so lucky."

Dad nodded. "Very lucky."

I stared at my plate, appetite gone.

The rest of dinner passed in a blur of small talk I barely registered. Finally, Vivian suggested everyone move to the terrace for drinks.

People began to stand.

Alexander rose first, buttoning his suit jacket with one smooth motion. As the group filtered out, he paused beside my chair.

His hand rested lightly on the back of it casually if not for the way his fingers brushed my shoulder.

"Walk with me," he said quietly

I looked up and his expression was serious

"I need some air," I lied and stormed out of the dining room, upstairs and into my bedroom.

I was about to shut the door when he stopped it with his hand and leaned in.

"Are you avoiding me or something Margaret?"