Page 86 of Branded

Crew tells stories about the vet practice he and Lark run. Cole tells me about a rogue bull that took out two fences last week. Emma talks about her classes, about a complex surgery she observed. Grace describes Rosie’s, the restaurant where she took over my job and about the grumpy new cook who is about to make all the patrons so mad they are going to quit for another restaurant in town. Normal family conversation. The kind I’ve been craving without realizing it.

Dad clears his throat, and I know the interrogation is starting again. “So tell us about Sebastian,” he says. “What’s he like?”

I put down my fork as I gather my thoughts. “He’s focused, hardworking. He built a resort empire from basically nothing, so he’s driven. Ambitious. Smart.”

“That’s what he does, not who he is,” Dad says. “What kind of man is he?”

Complicated. Possessive. Capable of both tenderness and cruelty. Fighting against his own instincts to control me.

“He’s someone who’s learning to be better than he was raised to be,” I say carefully. “His family is powerful, wealthy, traditional in so many ways. He’s trying to find his own path while honoring that legacy.”

“Does he treat you well?” Cole asks. The question is simple but loaded. Because how do I answer that honestly without revealing the truth?

“He’s getting better,” I say. “We both are. Marriage is an adjustment.”

“After a month, you shouldn’t need that much adjusting,” Emma says. “You should still be in the honeymoon phase. Instead, you’re here without him.”

“I needed to see you all, that doesn’t mean anything’s wrong.”

“Doesn’t it?” Dad leans forward. “Be honest with us, Lennox. Are you happy? Because you don’t look happy.”

I meet his eyes. “I’m trying to be happy. That’s the best I can do right now.”

The table is silent. My siblings exchange looks. Dad’s face hardens.

“That’s not good enough.”

“It has to be.” I stand, suddenly unable to sit still. “I know this isn’t what you wanted for me. I know eloping with someone you’ve never met isn’t the fairy tale you think I deserve. But it’s my life, my choice, and I’m handling it the best way I know how. So please, just trust me. Trust that I know what I’m doing.”

“Do you?” Cole’s voice is gentle. “Because from where we’re sitting, it looks like you made a decision you regret, and now you’re stuck with it.” He is more right than he knows.

“I don’t regret marrying Sebastian,” I say. Which is technically accurate. I don’t regret taking Janie’s place at the auction. I just regret that the auction existed at all. “I regret not including you all in it. I regret the secrecy. But I don’t regret him.”

Dad studies me for a long moment. “Tomorrow, when he gets here, I’m going to have a long conversation with him. Man to man.”

“Dad, you can’t.”

“Yes, I can. You’re my daughter. I don’t care what vows you took. If he’s not right for you, I’m not letting you go back to him.”

The protectiveness in his voice makes my chest tight. Because he means it. He would absolutely refuse to let me leave, would stand between Sebastian and me and would fight the entire Drake family if he thought I was in danger.

And I can’t let that happen or let him get involved in something he doesn’t understand.

“He’ll pass your test,” I say quietly. “I promise.”

“We’ll see.” Dad stands. “I’m going to bed. You girls clean up.”

He leaves, and my siblings look at me with varying degrees of concern and curiosity.

“So,” Grace says as we start clearing plates. “Want to tell us what’s really going on?”

“What do you mean?”

“Come on, Len. We’re not stupid.” She stacks plates at the sink.

“I told you.”

“You told us some pretty version,” Lark says as she moves beside me, lowering her voice. “We’re your sisters, and sister-in-law. We know when you’re lying. So either tell us the truth or stop pretending everything’s fine.”