Mr. Ace's POV
As the candlelight flickered and shadows danced upon the dining room walls, I found myself locked in a delicate dance of forced pleasantries with that Matthew, the one who seemed to bring nothing but exasperation to my otherwise serene world. Across the table, his family mirrored my strained smiles, creating an atmosphere as palpable as the unspoken tension that hung in the air.
I had allowed this encounter, this orchestrated display of familial unity, all in the name of my daughter Meredith. For her happiness, I had navigated through a sea of uncomfortable conversations and feigned interest. Yet, as the evening wore on, I couldn't shake the nagging feeling that perhaps this charade had been a perilous misstep.
