Settling the Score — Episode 3

iris forced a smile that's not what I meant then did you actually look before you said something was I holding it wrong or not next time take a good look before you pick a side don't just pin things on people the table went quiet vivian smoothed over her voice saw the food's getting cold eat everyone eat her own fork and knife hadn't moved

from beside her plate untouched richard didn't look up but the knife cutting his steak paused mid-air my phone lit up a message from my adoptive father claire have you eaten yet a servant knocked on the door saying julian had arrived julian had been betrothed to the bennett family's oldest daughter since childhood, and now that I was back, that engagement had landed on me.

He gave my worn tank top a once-over, his eyes lingering for a second on my boots. This is how you dress living in Bennett's house? He turned to Vivian, his tone shifting something slightly more formal, more respectful. I talked it over with my dad. Let's put this engagement on hold for now. I leaned back against the couch, tone easy.

Sure, on hold it is. You don't have anything to say? You came here to inform me, not to discuss it with me. What exactly do you want me to say? Watch your attitude! You're the one calling off our engagement, and you still want me to have a good attitude about