“Mrs.

Gable doesn’t need to hear boring family accounting at eight in the morning, Avery,” Victoria said, her sweet tone turning razor sharp.

Mrs.

Gable took another slow sip of tea, her eyes moving back and forth between Victoria and me in complete silence.

“Chloe, pass the marmalade to Eleanor,” Victoria said, her voice going flat.

Nobody moved for three full seconds while the heavy dining room clock ticked on the wall.

I pushed my chair back from the table and stood up without touching my coffee.