“Anchor,” I repeated, letting the word hang. “That’s a fascinating choice of words, Vanessa. Especially from someone so deeply invested in sinking ships.”

The laughter died. The room went dead silent. The shift in my tone—the sudden absence of subservience—sucked the air out of the space.

Daniel sighed loudly, rolling his eyes. “Jesus, Claire, don’t start this passive-aggressive nonsense tonight. Not in front of my father.”

“Oh, I have no intention of starting anything, Daniel,” I said, barely above a whisper, and it echoed off the walls anyway.

I stood. I smoothed the front of my dress.

“I’m only here to finish it.”