(Author's POV)
The conversation restarted, strained but functional. Wine was poured. Dishes arrived. The two families performed the motions of civility across a table that felt considerably wider than it was.
Sienna had just begun to think the worst was over when Victoria set down her fork.
"There is one thing," Victoria said, her tone unchanged, still warm, still easy. "I think it's better to say these things clearly, before there are misunderstandings later." She looked at Sienna. "When Adam passed, he left Sienna a considerable portion of his assets. His shares, primarily. Now that she's joining our family again-" A slight pause. "It seems natural that those shares would come with her. As part of the arrangement."
(Author's POV)
Sienna had not expected this.
Not today. Not at a di
