"Stepbrother," Ethan corrected. "Barely family."
"Family enough to be invited," Julian countered smoothly. "Unless you're trying to say I'm not welcome at family events anymore?"
Ethan's jaw clenched. Vanessa's eyes were still fixed on my ring. I could see the wheels turning in her head, trying to figure out what it meant.
"That's a beautiful ring," she said suddenly, her tone sharp. "Where did you get it, Claire?"
I looked down at the emerald, the green stone catching the chandelier light. "It was a gift," I said quietly.
"From Julian?" Vanessa's eyebrow arched. "How... generous."
She said it like it was something dirty, something transactional. "Very generous," I agreed, meeting her eyes.
Ethan's gaze dropped to the ring as well, something flickered across his face... recognition,
