"Aunt… do you even realize what Alicia suffered because of what you said?"
This time, she hesitated.
Then her tone shifted slightly. "I heard she's pregnant. Did something happen to the baby?"
I closed my eyes briefly before answering, "No. Thankfully, nothing serious happened."
Then my voice hardened.
"But if something had happened to Alicia or the baby,it would have been because of you."
"Alexander," she said impatiently, "you're overreacting. That child is just another thing tying you to her now that Mother is gone."
The irritation in my chest surged instantly.
"That's my child you're talking about."
"But you can always have another one," she argued stubbornly. "With a woman actually worthy of standing beside you. Not someone Mother forced into this family."
"Enough."
My voice dropped sharply enough that even she fell silent for a second.
Then I spoke slowly and firmly.
"My grandmother's decision was never wrong."
Angela seemed to froze.
