ARIA’S POV

“Come on, let’s go grab something to eat,” he said, pulling me along, and just like a good puppet, I followed him out. He didn’t stop until we reached the dining room.

Everyone was already seated, even more people than yesterday. Some of my uncles and aunts, and of course my stepmother, were seated happily. My father was absent—not that I cared.

As soon as we came into sight, they all bowed and greeted Liam. We sat down, and breakfast began. It was the quietest ...