Chapter 28

Blair had prepared for a battle, but not for war. She couldn’t believe Aunt Viv had invited Dan without telling her. As she stepped into her aunt and uncle’s grand dining room, the scent of roasted lamb and fresh bread filled the air, but it did nothing to soften the tension in the room. Aunt Viv and Uncle Peter sat at opposite ends of the long mahogany table, their expressions carefully neutral. Paula stood near the fireplace, quiet, her hands clasped tightly in front of her. Dan was already seated; one arm draped lazily over the back of his chair like he had every right to be here. The look on his face said it all. He believed he was about to get his way. Fat fucking chance of that. Blair hated him. Then the door creaked open behind them. She knew before she even turned. Laura. Just great, she thought. So, all the key players were here. This was going to be explosive. Blair’s breath caught for half a second before she forced herself to exhale, slow and controlled. Laura stepped insid