SHAPES UNSPOKEN

-27-

HAPPY READING 🥰

Annabelle Inniss

I know my family very well, and they will try their absolute best to embarrass me.

Particularly my siblings.

Thank God Sean has a sense of humour, even though he only has one brother and probably isn’t used to this kind of chaos.

We walk back into the sitting room with Sean still holding my hand. His grip is warm and steady, like he knows I might need the reassurance.

Dad sits in the single armchair while Sean and I take the loveseat beside him.

Across from us, my mother, brother, and sisters sit together on the couch like a panel of judges waiting to deliver a verdict.

And every single pair of eyes is locked on us.

The room slowly starts to feel hot under my mother’s intense stare.

I made her promise not to start questioning Sean until after I spoke first.

Clearly, that promise is hanging by a thread.

The other thing terrifying me right now is the possibility of puking my guts out before lunch is even served.

Arizona is the first one to break the silence.

“Sean, you have a son, right?”

Sean nods calmly.

“Yes, I do. His name is Steph.”

“How old?” Aaron asks, leaning forward slightly.

“He’s four.”

“And you’re an active father?” Aaron presses.

Sean doesn’t hesitate.

“Very much so. He stays with me most of the time.”

My mom finally speaks.

“Where did you two meet, Sean?”

Sean glances at me briefly before answering.

“I met Annabelle five months ago at the charity gala Brian organized for his late grandfather. But technically I knew her before that.”

My mother raises an eyebrow.

“Oh?”

“Yes. We met briefly at Brian and Jinette’s wedding. I was the best man and Annabelle was the maid of honour.”

I silently appreciate that he says it that way.

Clear.

Respectful.

Making it known that what we have started recently.

That I was never part of his marriage.

My father is still quiet.

That worries me more than anything.

The lawyer in him usually comes out quickly in situations like this.

Instead, he watches Sean carefully.

Then my mother leans forward.

“I don’t like coming around the edges, Sean,” she says plainly. “I’m a direct person.”

Sean straightens slightly.

“Annabelle is our princess,” she continues. “And as such, I want your assurance that you will treat her that way.”

I glance at her, trying to soften her expression with my eyes.

It doesn’t work.

She gives me a stern look that clearly says stay quiet.