As Alexis entered the grand dining room, she took a breath, steadying herself. She could already feel the weight of the evening pressing down on her, like some twisted family game where everyone already knew their part. Mrs. Carrington sat at the head of the table, her smile welcoming at least on the surface. Maya was seated to her right, dressed impeccably and radiating a self assure confidence that grated at Alexis’s nerves. Katherine sat across from Maya, her expression carefully composed but with that glint of protectiveness that always seemed to flare up when someone crossed her brother’s wife. Cody was beside Alexis, looking around the table with a child-like eyes just wondering, his eyes following the passing of plates and glasses with the fascination of someone who saw it all as a
