A Family Affair

"Um… I…" Lila clearly hadn't expected Audrey to speak for her. For a moment, she seemed unsure how to react.

She glanced at Miriam as if asking for a silent cue.

With a strained smile, Lila tried to decline politely. "Mrs. Sterling, this is a Sterling family dinner. I'm not family. It wouldn't feel appropriate for me to stay."

Her soft, fragile tone tugged at Gideon's conscience. He reached out, g