Chapter 48

ELOISE

I didn’t stand. Why should I? I had no idea what would happen next. Logan Cunningham needed me to become Malcolm. He died without pursuing his own dreams. In this family, we were just puppets. The aristocracy and traditions would imprison me. If I let this happen, I would lose myself.

“Eloise, my dear. Stand up, please,” my dad said, motioning toward me. Suddenly, all the guests turned their attention to me.

I looked at Adam, hoping he had a plan to help me. “I had something up in my sleeve, but we didn’t expect your father to introduce you right in the middle of dinner.”

“What should we do then? What should I say?” I hissed. The rush was burning in my blood, and everyone was waiting for something to happen.

“Eloise?” my dad called again, and I felt my feet moving on their own as I rose from my seat. “There she is, my darling girl,” he said, opening his arms proudly.

I glanced at Davina and my grandmother, who both had a poker face. I wasn’t sure if they wanted me here