Hailey’s POV
Roy smiled, completely oblivious, as he set the tray down on the glass coffee table. The soft clink of porcelain cups filled the silence that suddenly felt too heavy, too tense.
“That’s great,” he said, glancing between us with genuine happiness. “I was worried you might feel awkward at first, Hailey. But I knew you’d all get along.”
Aunt Margaret let out a light, musical laugh, the kind that sounded rehearsed. “Oh, she’s been… most accommodating, Royd,” she said sweetly, lifting her teacup with delicate fingers. “Such a polite girl.”
Her eyes flicked toward me briefly—just for a second—but the message behind them was sharp enough to cut.
I forced a small smile and lowered myself onto the armchair across from them, keeping my posture composed despite the tension tightenin
