“You gave birth to a child, Brooke,” Evelyn said, her words echoing through the high rafters of the ballroom.

A collective murmur rippled through the remaining guests near the back of the room.

“A child you gave away and hid from everyone, including your sister, to protect your own social standing.”

I turned to Brooke, my breath catching in my throat.

I had known there was a secret clinic visit, but I had never suspected this.

“Is this true?” I asked, looking from Brooke to my mother.

Helen avoided my eyes, staring down at her own manicured hands.

“We had to protect her future, Emily,” Helen whispered, her voice trembling. “She was so young.”

“And who was the father, Brooke?” Evelyn asked, her gaze shifting slowly toward Gavin.

Gavin’s jaw tightened, a prominent vein pulsing at his temple.

He did not look at Brooke, keeping his eyes locked on my grandmother.

“That is enough of this family drama,” Gavin said, his voice rising as he tried to regain control of the room.

He reached into his breast pocket and pulled out his phone.