
The atmosphere could have shattered like fine crystal. Our family dinner, meant to be a beautiful gathering, was now a stage for a drama nobody had anticipated. My heart was pounding, but I refused to let it show. I took a deep breath, feeling an unexpected calm envelop me.
Sofia offered an awkward smile, aware of the tension surrounding us. My family exchanged glances, their expressions a mix of shock and disbelief. But I could see a flicker of something else in my mother’s eyes—pride. She knew me well enough to sense that I had something up my sleeve.
