Margaret’s eyes narrowed, flickering with shock and something else—was it uncertainty? Anger? She opened her mouth, perhaps to voice the accusations I could almost hear forming on her tongue, but I spoke first.

“I thought it was time you met your grandson,” I said, my tone firm yet calm. “Alex wanted to know where he came from.”

David’s jaw tightened, his eyes softening as he looked at Alex. It was a mix of emotions I expected—shock, confusion, perhaps even guilt. But there was no time for family drama tonight, not in front of the curious eyes watching every move.