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The door opens and I suck in a breath when I see her, smiling wide on Tobias’s arm, but I force it from my lungs when I notice the look on my father's face.
He hasn’t worked it out yet exactly, but he knows something is going on with me. To say I’m not looking forward to him finding out what happened is an understatement, but I can’t help but react to her.
She’s like my very own poison.
A beautiful nightmare that haunts me every time I close my eyes.
And it pisses me the fuck off.
Her smile drops when she glances at the twins, more so when she looks at me.
She moves to her seat and Cole stands, pulling her chair out, playing his role perfectly.
Fuck this.
I finish my one and only drink in one swallow and slam the glass down on the table with more force than I intended as she sits. Risking another glance, I take in her confusion and ball my hands in my lap. I know there isn’t a damn thing I can say or do to change anything right now.
All I can do is sit here and play my part, even if I am screaming on the inside.
Sofie starts up some inane conversation with Erica, the twins’ mom, while Dad and Theo start talking business as Tobias and the other staff bring out the mountain of food that’s been prepared for today.
The sheer amount of food here is obscene, but that is my dad all over. A show of wealth is a show of power, and power iseverything.
When the table is laid and the staff leave the room, Dad stands, tapping his spoon against his glass before clearing his throat and droning on about how family is everything—lies—and how we all have so much to be grateful for this year—more lies—before leading grace.
The meal is nothing more than a show. Everyone saying what they think will keep them in favor. It's laughable that people who are intended to be allies, friends, family, are really just clinging to one another as a way to stay in power.
My dad would say he’s the most powerful, because he has the most money.
Theo would say he’s the most powerful, because he has the clout.
Thomas would say he’s the most powerful, because of his darker connections.
It’s disgusting, and the minute I get the chance to escape, I am running away and never looking back.
My eyes go wide when I finally hear her speak. She’s been silent throughout the entire meal, like she knows something is coming. It’s little more than a whisper to Cole, but I might be the only person at this table actually paying attention to her.
"What the hell am I missing?"
I open my mouth to speak, but Cole responds first. "I’m sorry."
I’m pretty sure he wants to say more, but Dad stands—again—and starts yet another of his speeches. "This year we have so much to be thankful for; my new wife, and stepdaughter; for my new venture; the support of my friends. But we also have another announcement."
My fingers grip my thighs so hard I’m going to have bruises. I glance at her, and it's like watching a car crash in slow motion and not being able to do a thing to stop it.
She grips the edge of the table and I try to relax, in case she’s picking up on my anger.
"Smile," I say as quietly as I can.
I know she’s going to hate me. It’s why I didn’t bother playing nice like the others. I knew there was no way we could be anything other than what we’re about to be as soon as I realized who she was.
"This year," Dad continues. "We get to be thankful for the joining of our families. So, to Cole and Briar, congratulations on your engagement."
“I’m sorry, what?” she screeches next to me, and Sofie smiles at her like she’s dim, like her daughter just hit the marriage lotto.
"Congratulations, sweetheart! This is so exciting. To have found such happiness in such a small amount of time."
"You have got to be kidding me." Briar’s voice is fraught, like she might actually kill her mom if she gets too close. She pushes back from the table and stands.
