Eve

I didn’t expect her to smile. I didn’t expect her to argue calmly. But I definitely didn’t expect the way Clarissa’s entire face twitched when I mentioned Margot. The boardroom fell into a strange silence for a moment, as if everyone suddenly realized they were in the middle of something they shouldn’t witness.

Clarissa’s eyes swept over the table, and her voice came out smooth, polite, and almost sweet. “Everyone, please… Give us a moment. I’d like to speak with my niece privately.”

Chairs shifted. Papers rustled. They all began rising one by one, still muttering to themselves, glancing between us like they were trying to read the tension....