Kenneth’s POV
I closed my eyes and gritted my teeth. How forward could they be? They should’ve waited for an engagement invitation from my family before showing up. How dare they invite themselves—on my birthday and coronation day, of all days?
When I opened my eyes, I noticed Lucy, Mal, and Tom’s chairs were empty. Panic surged through me, and I nearly jumped up—but my mother grabbed my arm, silently urging me to stay put. Was she the one who invited the Brattons? She shook her head subtly, as if reading my mind.
“Liza, we have to welcome our in-laws,” Dad said, his tone less than thrilled.
I hope they don’t expect me to tag along, I thought bitterly. My mother shot me a warning glare—the kind only a mother could give her rebellious son—and I groaned inwardly before rising to follow.
