Chapter Fifteen

Their father cleared his throat as he took a seat at the head of the dining table, making eye contact with everyone in the room. His eyes lingered on my face as he saw me. The moment he looked away, I realized I had been holding my breath.

“Dad, this is Cleo. She’s my friend,” Lucas introduced with a tone of nonchalance which had cracks in it. It was obvious, how uncomfortable everyone was.

“And what is she doing here?” I tensed, more at the way he said it than what he said. He sounded bitter, like I was something he couldn’t stand to see in the room.

“We invited her over,” Olivia answered.

He raised his head and shot her a look, one that had her leaning close to Lucas in fear. Something was obviously not right with them. They were all afraid of him.

“You are aware that this is a family feast. You’re all aware, isn’t it?” he asked, looking at everyone.