The main course arrived in a flurry of silver platters and aromatic steam, but the food was merely background noise to the silent war unfolding across the table. Adrien's hand remained on mine, grounding me.
Caden, now seated, had thankfully shifted his attention to the wine list, though his smirk lingered like a stain. Yvonne sipped her drink with the elegance of someone who'd perfected the art of silent judgment. Elise, ever the diplomat, kept the conversation flowing, asking about Leo's favorite subjects and my father's veterinary practice.
My father, to his credit, was trying. He nodded politely, answered questions with clipped formality, and even managed a faint smile when Elise complimented his dedication to animals. But every so often, his gaze would drift to Adrien, and I could see the question still burning behind his eyes: How did we end up here?
