William's face hardened as his gaze shifted between His father and Grandmother. He avoided looking at Bri.
Then Eleanor intervened quickly, words firm. "There's no need for this, Robert. William and I already talked about it. Everything is fine."
Robert didn't budge "Mother, you're not the person he should be explaining himself to." He turned back to his son. "Did you explain yourself to your wife, William? There is too much gossip in the news about you. It is unacceptable!"
The word "wife" landed heavier than it should have.
Bri looked down, heart racing. She didn't know where to look,she was too embarrassed.
"Dad," William replied, "This is a private matter."
Without giving up, Robert turned to Bri. "Did he explain himself to you?" He asked calmly. "You can tell me the truth."
William finally looked at his wife, his eyes finding hers across the table.
Bri shifted uneasily in her seat as she felt all eyes on her, waiting. Her lips parted as if to speak, but instead, she turned slightly toward Anna and Jake as if hoping one of them would rescue her from the question she didn't know how to answer. Both squeezed her hand below the table as if to reassure her.
She looked back at William one more time, then without thinking twice, she turned to Robert.