When Vivian said he would not become the patriarch, the change in the air was immediate.
The soft sounds around the table stopped all at once. The quiet clink of cups, the low conversation, everything stopped.
Everyone turned toward him.
Charlotte and Elena stopped mid-bickering, their attention snapping toward Vivian.
Charlotte's hand, which had just been resting near her plate, stilled. Elena straightened slightly where she stood, her expression shifting from playful to alert.
Edward paused with his sandwich still in his hand, halfway to his mouth. Salena, who had just been setting down a plate, slowly lifted her head and looked over as well.
All eyes settled on Vivian.
He leaned back in his chair, looking completely at ease, as if he had not just said something that shook the entire table.
"It's not possible for me," Vivian said calmly.
His tone was steady, almost lazy, like he was talking about something small and unimportant.
