He placed a firm hand on Daniel’s shoulder and turned him slightly toward the VIP section.
“Daniel,” he said, using the smooth public voice that had served him through years of formal events, “come meet the admirals. This is your day.”
Then he looked at me.
The warmth vanished from his eyes while the smile stayed fixed on his mouth.
“Samantha. Let’s not make this awkward.”
I almost laughed.
I had not raised my voice.
I had not challenged Daniel.
I had not corrected a single lie.
Apparently, my presence alone had become a threat to the version of the family my father wanted displayed.
“I’m standing against a wall,” I said.
It was the first sentence I had spoken since Daniel approached me.
My father’s eyes narrowed, not because the words were disrespectful, but because they made the absurdity of his warning too clear.
Daniel gave a quiet breath through his nose, almost a laugh.
