THE FAMILY MEETINGLUCIEN'S POVMargaret calls at eight in the morning, three days after Elena moves in.I let it ring twice. This is not rudeness. It is the only leverage a person can reasonably exercise over Margaret Blackwood without a court order."This is a mistake," she says, before I have said a word. No greeting. No preamble. Margaret does not waste effort on social architecture when she has already committed to a battle. "Marrying that girl is an embarrassment to this family and an insult to Adrian, and you know perfectly well what you're doing.""Good morning, Margaret," I say."Don't perform pleasantries with me, we’ve known each other too long.""Longer than either of us would choose, yes.""She is using you, she spent three years being deliberately mediocre as Adrian's wife, and now that she's pregnant she's found a richer target. You are many things, Lucien, but I did not think you were naive."I set down my coffee. I stand at the window,which feels appropriate for a con
Huling Na-update : 2026-07-03 Magbasa pa