Rose gave everyone a tight smile as she stood beside Lucas. Her heart was steady, but her eyes caught the small changes on the faces in the room, lifted brows, stiffened jaws, forced expressions. She didn’t need anyone to speak, she could see the jealousy clearly. Some people tried to hide it behind polite smiles, while others didn’t even bother. Their gazes moved from her shoes to her hair, searching for flaws, judging her presence, silently questioning why Lucas would bring her here and call her his wife.
Lucas noticed the shifting energy too. His voice cut through the tension, strong and commanding.
“So y’all should give her the respect you give me,” Lucas informed everyone, leaving no room for argument.
They nodded quickly, some eagerly, some reluctantly. A few exchanged looks, but
