For a few long seconds the silence in the dining hall was so clear I could hear the erratic thumping of my own heart against my ribs.
The power dynamic in the room had shifted...… I kept my spine rigidly straight, fingers tightly anchoring Lorenzo to my side.
Across the long table Alessandro remained seated, forearms resting flat against the wood eyes dark and completely unreadable.
Then...… the murmurs began.... It started as a low toxic hum before rising into a wave of pure unfiltered fury and envy from the relatives.
I didn't need to know the inner workings of this family to understand what had just happened.
The old man hadn't just accepted my son.... he had officially chosen a side.
In a world like this.... favor from the patriarch mattered.
By putting Lorenzo on his lap and publicly recognizing me the old man had handed Alessandro the ultimate alliance.
