For a moment, I forget what’s coming.
Until Dad raises a glass. “To Marianne—for hosting the gala of the season. And to Xander—for finally joining the family again.”
My mother beams.
Cora stiffens beside me. “Not withoutencouragement,” she says, sarcasm coating her words.
I squeeze her thigh. Please, for fuck’s sake, let’s not unravel this here and now.
All she is doing is defending me against my father’s blackmail, as she calls it.
Dad frowns at her frosty tone. “All I asked was thathe attend tonight—for his mother, and the legacy she’s built with this event.”
Cora blinks. Her eyes narrow faintly. “That’s all you asked?” She snorts.
Mom’s head jerks, and Dad looks puzzled, while Lottie, Liam, and Nana lean back, wine in hands, like this is the most riveting performance they’ve ever seen. At my fucking expense.
Dad clears his throat. “Of course. Marianne deserves to have her family under one roof again.”
Cora turns to my mom. “I’m sorry, Marianne, but you should know your husband forced Xander to marry. He made it a condition for helping him with a business deal.”
The entire table stills.
“And the plot thickens,” Liam gloats.
“What?” Mom’s voice is a whisper, her eyes darting between me and Dad.
“Son?” My father studies me, his expression a mixture of concern and surprise.
Cora’s gaze swings toward me, her eyebrows drawn. “Xander?”
“What’s going on?” Lottie asks.
“Hush,” Nana admonishes. “We reached the main program.”
Liam snorts.
“What is Cora talking about?” Dad’s voice can cut steel.
I open my mouth. The words don’t come. Because the lie—my lie—is sitting at the center of the table now, fully dressed in candlelight and linen.
“I’m sure this is some misunderstanding,” Mom chirps. “This chestnut bisque is fantastic.”
All heads swivel to her at her effort to salvage the situation.
“Excuse me.” Cora pushes the chair, throwing the linen napkin onto her plate.
I move to pursue her, but my father grips my arm. “No scandals,” he warns, whispering.
Jerking away, I slouch in the chair. Cora’s soup soaks through the napkin, drowning it like I’m drowning under the weight of my lie.
Chapter 27
Cora
Irush out of the ballroom, my heels digging into the carpeted floor of the long hallway. Oxygen is not reaching my lungs, the shock of the revelation spreading through me painfully.
Images flicker through my mind. Ethan proposing. Dad coming home late. Ethan laughing when I begged him not to drive recklessly. The little boy who looks like him. Dad falling to the sofa when Mom closed the door behind her, leaving us.
