She enjoys taking care of the house.”

Nathan didn’t blink. “She enjoys it?”

My mother gave a fake laugh. “Oh, please. Emily exaggerates. Besides, she never told us she was engaged. How were we supposed to know?”

I looked straight at her. “You didn’t need to know I was engaged to let me sit down and eat.”

The silence that followed felt different. It was no longer surprise. It was shame trying to hide beneath the tablecloth.

Claire crossed her arms. “Don’t act like a victim. Mom just wanted everything to be perfect.”