"Everyone, please—eat, drink. Ruth, it's been ages since we've seen each other. I had no idea you'd be here at my home. Tomorrow's New Year's Day—how perfect that we can all celebrate together."
The silence that followed was deafening. You could've heard a pin drop.
Every bite of food turned to ash in my mouth, but I kept eating. I stuffed myself until my stomach ached.
They couldn't take it anymore.
Ray grabbed my wrist and yanked me up from my chair.
"Fine. Yes. It's exactly what it looks like."
His voice turned sharp. "Lottie, if you have something to say, just say it. Stop with the passive-aggressive act—you're making Ruth uncomfortable."
He stepped in front of her, shielding her. As if I were the threat.
I hadn't done anything. I'd just eaten dinner.
I looked at my in-laws. They shifted awkwardly but positioned themselves protectively around Ruth too.
Like she was family.
Like they were the real unit here.
My mind replayed what I'd heard before I walked in. They'd called her daughter-in-law.
My throat tightened, but I kept my smile fixed in place as I swept my gaze across all of them.
"Making her uncomfortable? How?"