Chapter 47
The summons came within the hour, Callie barely given time to wipe the last traces of tears from her face before a sharp knock pulled her back to the main sitting room, the same room where every family verdict against her had been delivered since her return.
Her parents were already seated when she arrived, faces set in matching expressions of stern disapproval. Peter stood near the window, arms crossed, refusing to meet her eyes. Rowena sat in her usual chair, the picture of wounded innocence, dabbing delicately at nothing in particular with her handkerchief.
"Sit down," her father said, voice cold and final.
"I'd rather stand," Callie said quietly, though the words carried little real defiance, exhaustion already settling too deep in her bones for much fight to remain.
"Y
