Sunday dinner was

nder the crystal chandelier. Silv

ken protocols, a dance of

but cool towards Ava. Their initial approval of

to Ethan, was the c

d, Ethan quickly co

nounced. "Doctor' s ord

omed, "Then you must drink her sh

ladly." He was p

tly, picking

ll ached, a dull throb

le, enduring the pain, the

int, noticed Ava hadn

you' re no

s not feeling her best, Mother." A minimal, oblig

e already ba

yes Sr., the patriarc

le fell

ice resonant. "Now that you' re we

Ashworths. Their youngest son, James, is

e looked at Ethan, a fli

, which had been resting

erously low. "Chloe is not intereste

e needs to be settled. She can' t rely on you forever. Y

relatives murm

e doesn't want to," Ethan stated, his voi

Mr. Hayes Sr. challenged, his eye

is chair scraping loudly a

m went

eclared, his voice ringing with ange

hloe. She can live with me, I will provide for her, support he

gasp went aro

red, sp

ied. "Ethan, what are yo

is eyes, burning with a fierce, pos

most imperceptible smile touched her lips befo