Chapter 26
Protecting Family's Position
The Halton mansion stood before us, all pale stone and tall, large windows that seemed to watch our every move. The grand staircase stretched upward, imposing and demanding respect.
The car ride had been silent and tense, but standing at the foot of those steps now, the reality of what was coming settled heavily in my chest.
Lilith stood to my right, stiff and trembling. She wore a plain navy dress selected by Father, not her and gripped a small, unremarkable purse with white knuckled desperation. The absence of the expensive gifts she had purchased was a void that settled heavily between us.
Those gifts belonged to me now.
In contrast, a strange calm settled over me. I adjusted the cuff of my modest but well tailored dress and lifted the two carefully wrapped boxes the scarf and the tie pin. Tools of diplomacy. Weapons of impression.
