“Benedikt,” he says smoothly, reaching for her hand. “Sienna’s fiancé.”
I choke on air, and my pulse spikes so fast that I feel dizzy.
Fiancé.
The word crashes into the room like a live wire, sizzling in the air, burning through every ounce of composure I’ve been clinging to.
My grandmother’s hand flies to her chest, and her eyes widen in shock. “Your… what?”
My heart does somersaults. “Grandma…” I start, but my voice cracks.
Ben turns the same faint smile to me, sliding one hand behind my chair, his fingers brushing the back of my neck in a way that looks affectionate but feels like a warning.
“Sorry, sweetheart,” he says, voice low enough that only I can hear. “Did I ruin the surprise?”
The audacity of this man.
I want to scream. Or throw the flowers. Or him.
My grandmother is staring at me like her world just tilted sideways, and I can’t do anything except sit there, frozen, while Benedikt flawlessly plays the role of doting fiancé.
“Forgive me for showing up unannounced.” He switches effortlessly back to charm. “I just couldn’t wait any longer to meet the woman who raised Sienna. She talks about you all the time.”
Liar.
He’s lying so smoothly that even I want to believe him.
My grandmother blinks between us, torn between awe and confusion. “Well, I… I don’t know what to say. I didn’t even know Sienna was seeing anyone.”
“That’s because it happened fast,” he says warmly. “Very fast. We didn’t plan it; it just happened. One of those whirlwind things, you know?”
Whirlwind.
That’s one word for it.
My grandmother finally recovers enough to smile. “Well, my goodness. Congratulations! How long have you two been engaged?”
I open my mouth, but Ben beats me to it.
“Not long,” he says easily, squeezing my shoulder. “But I’ve known for a while that she was the one.”
I’m going to kill him.
Slowly.
“Oh, that’s wonderful,” Grandma beams. “Do you have a date set?”
Ben chuckles softly and leans in to kiss my temple. “Not yet. Sienna hasn’t picked one. She’s particular.”
Particular.
I almost laugh out loud.
My grandmother claps her hands together, overjoyed. “Well, whenever it is, I expect an invitation. I’ll have to find a dress. Oh, and I want to help with the flowers!”
Flowers.
How about a coffin for the one behind me?
