Margaret's pov
The living room was already full when I reached the bottom. Everyone had gathered near the wide double doors that opened onto the front porch, like actors waiting for their cue.
Vivian stood at the center, one hand on Laura's arm, the other gesturing gracefully toward the driveway. Dad hovered a step behind, smiling.
And then there was him,Alexander Martinez stepped through the doorway,the black suit hugged his frame in a way that looked effortless and expensive. His dark hair was swept back, a single strand falling across his forehead as he tilted his head to greet Vivian with a polite nod.
"Mrs. Peters," he said, taking Vivian's offered hand and brushing a kiss across her knuckles. "Thank you for having me."
Vivian practically preened. "Alexander, darling, we've been dying to have you here properly.I can't wait to finally call you my son in-law"
Laura stepped forward next, slipping her arm through his with practiced ease. "You're late," she teased, but her tone was all honey. "I was starting to think you'd stand me up at my own wedding week."
"Never," he replied, and the word carried just enough warmth to make the room sigh collectively. He leaned down and pressed a brief kiss to her temple—polite, affectionate, picture-perfect.
I stayed at the edge of the group, half-hidden behind the curve of the grand piano. My pulse hammered in my throat. He hadn't looked my way yet and maybe he wouldn't so I could slip upstairs again, claim a headache, disappear until dinner because him recognizing me will stir a whole new drama between I and Laura.
Dad cleared his throat. "And this is our other daughter, Margaret. She just flew in this afternoon."
Every head turned.
Alexander's gaze lifted deliberately, like he'd known exactly where I was the entire time.
Our eyes locked.
The same half-second from the window upstairs stretched into something heavier, thicker. Recognition flickered across his face.
"Margaret," he called. "You are Laura's sister?."
"Step-sister"Laura immediately chipped in.
I forced my lips into a smile that felt like cracking porcelain. "Small world, Mr. Martinez."
"Alexander," he corrected, stepping away from Laura just enough to close the distance between us. He extended his hand.
I had no choice so I placed mine in his.
"Pleasure to finally meet you properly
I guess we're family now" he said.
I pulled my hand back, hoping no one noticed the slight tremor. "Likewise."
Laura laughed, light and tinkling. "How do you two know each other?"
Alexander didn't look away from me. "Margaret is an associate at my firm. Kessler & Hale."
Vivian's eyebrows shot up. "Your firm?"
"I'm the new managing partner," he explained, finally turning that calm gaze toward the rest of the room. "I was elected last month."
Dad beamed. "Well, isn't that something! It's a small world indeed."
Laura's smile tightened just a fraction. "You never mentioned you worked there, Mags."
The nickname grated. She only used it when she wanted to remind everyone I was the lesser version of her.
"I don't talk much about work at home," I said evenly. "Or at all, really."
Alexander's mouth curved, letting out barely a smile."She's modest. Her billables are among the highest in litigation this quarter. And her last motion for summary judgment was impressive."
He said it casually, like an afterthought, but the praise landed like a grenade in the middle of the room.
Vivian recovered first. "How wonderful,we always knew Margaret was bright."
Laura's fingers tightened on Alexander's sleeve. "We should all move to the dining room. Dinner's almost ready and I'm starving."
The group began to shift, voices overlapping with small talk about the menu and once again,"Laura's rich marriage match". I stayed rooted for a second longer, trying to breathe normally.
Alexander lingered too.
He stepped closer so only I could hear him.
"You didn't mention your family connection either, Ms. Peters."
The formality was deliberate. Mocking.
"I didn't think it was relevant sir" I whispered back.
His eyes traced my face slowly. "Everything's relevant now."
My stomach flipped. I couldn't tell if it was fear, anger or something far more dangerous.
Before I could respond, Laura called from the doorway. "Alex, darling? Coming?"
He held my gaze one heartbeat longer. "Excuse me."
He walked away, joining Laura with that same effortless grace. She slipped her hand into the crook of his elbow, laughing at something he said. They both looked like the perfect couple.
I pressed my palm to my chest, trying to slow my racing heart.
Dinner was served in the formal dining room—long mahogany table. I took the seat farthest from the head of the table, hoping distance would help but it didn't.
Alexander sat beside Laura, directly across from me.
Every time I looked up, he was watching.
Under the table, my knee bounced. I gripped the napkin in my lap until my knuckles ached.
Halfway through the main course,he leaned forward slightly, elbows on the table in a way that should have been rude but somehow looked regal.
"Margaret," he said, loud enough for the table to hear. "Tell us more about the Henderson case. I read your brief.The discovery motion was quite impressive."
My fork froze halfway to my mouth.
The Henderson case was still active—high-profile corporate fraud, millions at stake. Associates weren't supposed to discuss open matters outside the office, especially not with the managing partner in mixed company.
"I… it's ongoing," I managed. "Confidential."
"Of course." He leaned back, swirling his wine. "Just professional curiosity."
Laura laughed again, but it sounded thinner this time. "Alex is always working,even at family dinners."
Vivian beamed. "A man dedicated to his career. Laura's so lucky."
Dad nodded. "Very lucky."
I stared at my plate, appetite gone.
The rest of dinner passed in a blur of small talk I barely registered. Finally, Vivian suggested everyone move to the terrace for drinks.
People began to stand.
Alexander rose first, buttoning his suit jacket with one smooth motion. As the group filtered out, he paused beside my chair.
His hand rested lightly on the back of it casually if not for the way his fingers brushed my shoulder.
"Walk with me," he said quietly
I looked up and his expression was serious
"I need some air," I lied and stormed out of the dining room, upstairs and into my bedroom.
I was about to shut the door when he stopped it with his hand and leaned in.
"Are you avoiding me or something Margaret?"