Chapter 27: The Montreal

I moved to the empty chair, across from my father, keeping my expression neutral. The weight of their stares bore down on me, but I refused to show any sign of weakness. As I sat, I could feel the anger rising against my calm exterior, especially as I looked at Marianne. The woman who had wormed her way into our family, who now sat in my mother’s place, pretending to be the matriarch.

"Let's get this over with. I know you don't particularly want me here, and the feelings are mutual. So, tell me, what's this charade all about?"

My father remained impassive for a moment, the silence stretching into an eternity. Then, he pulled out a stack of photographs. He slammed them down on the table, the sound echoing through the opulent room like a gunshot.

"Explain these"

I glanced down, my heart dropping as I recognized the images. They were of me and Alex under the bridge, the day when I broke down after seeing Regan and Zarina. My jaw tense but I maintain