CHAPTER 31: DECIET RUNS IN THE FAMILY

Kali moved the grain of rice on her plate with the fork she held. At some point during the excitement of conversations and family banter, she felt incredibly lonely. In the past, dinners with the Madden family were usually tense. She had grown used to the attacks from Giovanna and ridicule from Ysabel. It turned out that she fed off those things to keep her strength.

This dinner was different. The disdain was still the same, but no one seemed in a hurry to light a fire. Everyone rather decided to relish in old memories and share tales of their different lives. In thirty minutes, Kali learned about Peter's job at the family office, Ember's years in college, Timothy's inspirations for his paintings and Samuel's work in graphic design.

Yes. Everyone talked a lot during this dinner. There was laughter, clinking of champagne flutes, and rounds of cheers. The drinks flowed like milk, the food and the joy appeared endless. Kali was certain she would go mad.

Sorely, she wished they’d fight.