Chapter 33

RAINA

The doorbell rang, pulling me out of my thoughts. When I opened the door, I was greeted by a delivery man holding a neatly wrapped package.

“Miss Graham?” he asked.

“Yes,” I replied cautiously, taking the box from him.

He nodded and left, and I closed the door, already dreading whatever was inside. When I peeled away the packaging, I wasn’t the least bit surprised to find an evening gown. Emerald green, floor-length, with delicate lace details at the bodice—it was stunning, I’ll give him that. But seriously? A dress?

Alex had actually sent me a dress he expected me to wear. Did he think this was romantic? Did he think this would soften me, win me over? What exactly was he expecting from this date?

I sighed and shook my head. Still, I wasn’t about to turn this into a bigger deal than it needed to be. It was a dress, not an apology, and certainly not the grand gesture he probably thought it was.

The house was unusually quiet. Everyone se