Blanche's POV
I hadn't been back to my parents' place in months. The air felt heavy with tension that nobody wanted to address. The dining table practically groaned under the weight of dishes—nearly all my favorites.
When I first decided to marry Zain, my entire family opposed it. But I dug in my heels, threatening to cut ties with all of them if they wouldn't support me. Eventually, they caved, though reluctantly. Yet after our wedding, Zain never once accompanied me to visit them.
My father Roger Callum sat rigid as stone, while my mother Irene Anton wiped her bloodshot eyes. Quinton's irritation was obvious. Amber tried defusing things but couldn't find her footing. Camila quietly observed everyone's reactions.
I started to stand, ready to apologize to my family, when Quinton sliced through the moment with sharp sarcasm. "Shouldn't you be getting ready for Donovan Jacob's birthday tomorrow? What dragged you back here instead of serving his family?"
