Silence fell for one long second.

Luna lifted her eyes from her drawing, curious. Olivia and Liam exchanged a quick, wordless glance. Edgar remained composed and steady, while Laura faced her mother with her chin raised and her gaze unwavering.

“Why wouldn’t I marry him, Mom?” she asked without looking away.

Olivia rose immediately, sensing the tension thickening in the room. She smoothed a hand over her skirt in a nervous gesture, then instinctively looked toward Luna.

She approached the littl