AIDEN
The sound of glasses clinking and cutlery scraping against dishes fills the air, accompanied by conversation between our parents.
Mild humor is shared across the table, and laughter peals through the air.
My eyes dart from Hermione's mom to my stepmom as they exchange compliments. But it's clear that their exchange is only superficial; neither woman genuinely cares about the other, except for the arrangements between our families and the benefits this alliance will bring.
"Are you sure Aiden is who you want, Ezra?" Beatrice asks, leaning closer to Hermione's mom so that Dad won't hear her.
She's still trying to promote Lachlan, disregarding the fact that I'm just a seat away. Beatrice had initially offered Ezra Lachlan's seat when they were introduced, addressing Ezra as Dire
