Cynthia beams, practically radiating sparkles. Daphne gags. I jab my elbow into her ribs. Carter, oblivious, goes ahead. “Family is my greatest gift in this life. Whether that is you, Mom, or my beautiful wife, Allera who drives me mad but gods do fucking love her, pardon my French, mom,”“You are pardoned,”My stomach twists and I want to vomit. He turns to me. His eyes flicker to the bruise. They flash with something dark, before he covers it with a charming smile. “To you, Allera. For loving me despite all my flaws.”I raise my glass with a shaky hand and an even shakier smile. “To you,” my voice comes out a squeak. Carter walks around the table, over to my side. Our small crowd awws and coos as he leans down over me. His lips meet mine in a gentle brush of a kiss. Panic and bile rushes up my throat, my spine freezing rigid. My glass slips from my hand, shattering on the ground. Before I can recover, Carter’s hand hooks around my waist as he pulls me up in a flourish. Chee
Last Updated : 2026-04-13 Read more