Forced Marriage: My Wife, My Redemption by Lilyheart

Chapter 274: Announcing the dinner...

~The Santiago family house~

The sun had already begun its gentle ascent into the sky, casting a golden ray of light over the lush gardens.

The morning air was cool and crisp, and a delicate breeze whispered through the blooming flowers, carrying with it a fragrant breath of serenity.

In the large dining hall, a long polished mahogany table stretched with quiet majesty, several members of the Santiago family sat in order of age and seniority.

At the head of the table sat Lady Matilda Santiago, the formidable matriarch of the household. Her presence exuding grace, nobility and silent authority,

Beside her was Donald Santiago, the heir apparent. His composure poised, attentive, and reserved, his expression as usual gentle yet unreadable.

The table was lined with the nuclear and extended Santiago bloodline—sons, daughters, their spouses, and children and all residents of the vast Santiagos’ estate.

"They had all gathered for one purpose—their weekly family gathering. The Santiago family has a long-standing tradition that requires all members to return home for the weekly mealtime."

Maids moved swiftly and quietly between them as they refills glasses, passing trays, and ensuring each person’s’s needs were met.

Immediately the meal was served, they resumed eating and silence filled the hall. It had always being a long-standing rule of the Santiago household and yet still governed the table: no one spoke during meals.

Conversations, disputes, or casual remarks were considered a breach of mealtime discipline. Meals were eaten in silence—a tradition meant to instill mindfulness, reflection, and restraint.

The only sound was the gentle clinking of cutlery against porcelain. Lady Matilda’s hands moved with elegance, her expression unreadable. Her dignified demeanor served as a silent warning that any breach of conduct would not be tolerated.

When the last mouthfuls were taken and the dishes nearly cleared, she placed her cutlery down with a soft but deliberate clink. Like clockwork, the others followed suit—still in silence, waiting.

It was custom after breakfast for announcements, rebukes, or family deliberations to take place and no one left until the matriarch either dismissed them or delivered her word.

eyes slowly swept over the table, observing the bowed heads and sidelong glances. Then, she cleared her throat

are expecting a guest this evening for

the room at

murmurs bubbled and whispered glances exchanged like nervous

could escalate, Lady Matilda raised her hand ever so slightly. Silence returned as quickly as it had broken. Her tone sharpened, but remained

repeated. "She is not just any guest—she is

in water. The entire room went silent as conversations died on lips, forks

across several faces—some blinked

gasped outright. Expressions of shock,

eyes, sharp and calculating, swept across the table, gauging reactions. Some looked stunned. Others wary. But

continued, her voice soft

loss. The loss of a daughter, my daughter. Despite every effort, she was never

breath, and her fingers lightly brushed against

prayers not with my daughter... but with

stunned silence swept the room again. Eyes widened.

us—unknowing of her origin—the bond of blood cannot be erased by time or circumstance. She is

a stillness in her words,

evening. You will all be present—and

of relief striking flashing across his face yet he said nothing. Others looked away,

Matilda glanced around one final time. Her next words were gentle but edged

coming home. And I will not tolerate resistance, arrogance, or scheming. Not from

than others before she finally nodded toward the

to

and after a bit of seconds chairs scraped softly against the floor as