The second those words left my mouth, the air in the banquet hall went dead still, like someone had sucked every last bit of oxygen out of the room.
Every single pair of eyes in the room locked onto me.
All around me there were flower arrangements, flutes of sparkling champagne, glinting crystal chandeliers, and crowds of guests dressed in soft, light-colored gowns and suits.
All of it clashed so sharply with the black dress I wore that it practically burned to look at.
Victor finally snapped out of his stunned daze. He frowned at me, his voice low. "Grace, don't make a scene."
I ignored him completely, turning to face the crowd of guests instead, every word slow and deliberate, loud enough for everyone to hear. "I'm sure most of you don't know this, but Mia here is my adopted sister.
