Josephine's hand froze mid-air, her glass of wine hovering. Vivian's mouth opened and closed without sound. Margaret leaned forward, eyes wide with disbelief.
"His father… was gay?" Josephine finally whispered, as if saying it louder might make it more real. "Amelia, you never told us that. All these years…"
Amelia stared into her now-empty glass, her usual strained composure cracking at the edges. "I didn't want to. It was my shame to carry. His father… he hid it well. He married me for appearances, for the family name, for public image. But I knew. I always knew. The late nights, the 'business trips,' the way he looked at certain men when he thought no one was watching."
Vivian reached over and gently took Amelia's hand. "Why didn't you leave him?"
