A Bitter Toast

Magnus's POV

A glass clinked.

Every head at the table turned toward my mother.

She stood at the head of the dining table, her posture perfect.

"I'm so grateful," she began, her voice carrying that deceitful warmth I'd heard a thousand times growing up. "Grateful to have all my family together in the same room. What a joy this is."

Her eyes found mine across the table.

"And especially grateful that