Chapter 25

Bricite took a deep breath, the tension in the room palpable-like she’d crashed a private party. She felt like an unwelcome quest, her presence a hard pill to swallow for some.

She should leave, but she didn’t. Instead, she picked a spot, sat down, and breezed, “Mom, happy birthday. Looks like we the Haywoods might just have double the reason to celebrate tonight.”

Miranda’s face was a mask of frost, her annoyance clear at the sight of her daughter. Belle’s next words rooted her to the spot.

Cameron, isn’t it time to make things official with Lillian? I saw you two hugging three years ago.

Surely, you haven’t let her slip away, have you?”

Cameron was taken aback. Brielle was the last person he expected to bring this up. After Lall, Lisa had made it clear that the idea of her best friend becoming her sister-in-law msde Brielle queasy.

itice mood around the table shifted. Miranda’s face lit up as she gaped in disbelief. Lillian was such a wonderful person, entirely deserving of her son. If they got married, Lillian would officially be part of the Haywood fold.

intCameron you and Lillian, are you really…”

avinands was over the moon, as if she wanted to drag the couple to the registry office right in die are there meron haunt anticipated their relationship being thrust into the spotli beeper many since Lillian hadn’t given him a definitive answer yet. Brielle’s A amed mer heardie perfect opportunity to make things official.

turnausted to look achillian, only to find her face a picture of panic. Under the doubledhed Spencer’s sleave in a silent plea for help.

artcors potenc vective instincts flared. He saw Brielle’s move as venomous-using ywood years cars affection like a noose around Lillian’s neck to coerce her into myian Canicroneton.

lon clenched het hementnmmerally cursing Brielle for meddling.

Crosy tamtitch!

1.

pping rod bombonbilet pohooned the weight on Brielle’s chest. While the others lost their bette, here seemed now have proved. She lowered her head to cut into the steak and ikea sip of red wett/GentCranston congrats on the upcorning nuptials. You two are al Ich made in heaven,iven meron had never seen isinils in couch a favorable light. His gaze softened as he looked Libian. “Lillian what do role thank think?”

16 05.

Lillian bit her lip as tears fell. To Cameron, they were tears of joy. To Spencer, they were tears of a woman cornered and in distress.

Brielle smirked, seeing right through the act. Classic. Always the damsel. Lillian never needed to step forward herself. She could resolve everything by hiding behind others. Her manipulation was top-notch;

no wonder she had men wrapped around her finger.

“Lillian, if you don’t fancy my brother, just cut him loose. What’s with the tears? Are you overwhelmed or just playing the victim? Or, is it that you’ve got a better offer?”

Before the words had fully left her mouth, Spencer stood up, his patience at its end. “Enough, Brielle!

Back off!”

Brielle took another delicate sip of her wine, all nonchalance. “Why so defensive? Cam’s cool. What’s got your gears grinding?”

This was Haywood territory, and any overt reaction from Spencer would be as good as a confession to the observant eyes around them. Spencer stiffened, itching to take a piece out of Brielle.

Brielle, eyes on Cameron, feigned wholehearted support, “Cameron, I’m totally on board with this future sister-in-law of mine. Go for it.

Cameron frowned, puzzled at Lillian’s silence.

Lillian knew she had to speak up or the night would end in disaster. Her lips trembled. “Cameron, I’m grateful for your care. Miranda, you’ve been wonderful to me, and Robert, you too. I consider you all family. This proposal is so sudden, I’m just not prepal She trailed off, unable to articulate her true feelings. Her words were all nonser ambiguous and vague, yet they gave Cameron a glimmer of hope.

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