The silence that followed my question felt suffocating. My father's face transformed from shock to rage in seconds. People around us pretended not to notice, but I could feel their eyes stealing glances our way.
"How dare you?" Father's voice was low but sharp as a blade. "After everything I've done for you—"
"Cameron," Evelyn interrupted, placing her hand on his arm. "Please, not here." Her pale face had grown even paler, and I immediately regretted causing her distress.
Father's jaw clenched tightly. He looked at me with such contempt that I nearly flinched.
"You have disgraced this family for the last time," he said through gritted teeth. "Leave. Now."
I held my ground, even as my heart hammered against my ribs. "This is Mrs. Ricardo's birthday celebration. I'm here as her guest and as Nathaniel's wife."
His eyes narrowed at the word "wife." The veins in his neck bulged as he took a step closer.
"You ungrateful—"
