LILITH

“Okay, that’s enough,” Julian’s voice rang out, calm but commanding. “Everyone, please return to your seats.”

I turned and walked back to my chair without a word. Claire, Brandon, and Paula followed suit.

I lowered my head, closed my eyes, and tuned them all out. Just breathing the same air as them was becoming suffocating.

Then came Julian’s voice again. “As of this moment, the engagement between Brandon and Lilith is off the table.”

His tone was decisive, one that allowed no room for argument.

But the relief I expected… didn’t come.

Probably because I knew the core of this matter was not really the engagement, but the Caldwell–Scott...