Chapter

105

Emma's heart stopped for a beat. The glass slipped in her fingers and she barely managed to tighten her grip in time. All eyes turned toward her, a wave of heat rising to her cheeks. But one of those gazes pierced her quite like Alexander's. His eyes dark and intense locked onto her with a force that made the air feel too thin, too sharp. Her skin prickled, a shiver running down her spine as if his gaze alone could unravel her.

She bit her lip hard, cursing under her breath. Slowly, she stepped forward, each footstep heavy with dread and unspoken

emotions.

Her mind whirled, wondering what Brianna wanted, hoping she could muster the strength to endure whatever was coming

next.

Brianna's eyes sparkled with warmth and expectation. "Your gift, dear. I can't wait to see what you've brought me," she said, her voice fragile yet filled with joy. "My daughter."

Emma's chest tightened at the word 'daughter. It was an anchor that she cherished yet feared. She blinked back the sting of tears and forced a small smile, her fingers trembling as she reached for the gift she'd brought.

But before she could hand it over, movement caught her eye. Alexander rose abruptly, the scrape of his chair loud in the quiet room. He didn't say a word, his jaw clenched, eyes a storm of unreadable emotions. Without a glance back, he walked out of the room, his footsteps echoing long after he was gone.

As Emma turned to walk back to her seat and retrieve the gift she'd brought for Brianna, the room's atmosphere shifted suddenly once again.

A ripple of confusion and curiosity spread through the guests.

Murmurs died down, and heads turned toward the entrance, eyes widening as they spotted who had just walked through the door

Annie!

in her throat, anger coursing through her veins. Annie's arrival

in a shimmering gown clinging to her figure, the deep red color shining bright under the chandelier .Her heels clicked against the floor calculated step,

smile curled her lips as she looked left and right,

The air thickened.

could feel every heartbeat pounding in

it was Vivian. Her chair scraped back as she stood abruptly, the sound slicing through

set of her shoulders, the clenched fists at her sides. Everything about her radiated

sensing that the

if Annie hadn't already done enough, she raised up a small banner

"Welcome home, Grandma-to-be!"

through the crowd, the words slicing through the room like

11:08 Wed, Dec 18

Chapter 105

3

minutes ago snuffed out

+5

gaze flickered to Emma, then back to Brianna, her eyes gleaming

an anger t

her path, her presence a wall of fierce protection Her

a dagger plunged into the air between them. "What makes you

just a second, but she recovered quickly, lifting her chin defiantly. "I was invited," she said, her voice sugary-sweet. "Alexander wanted me

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