Arabella Donovan's internal shriek was like a bombshell, blasting the smile right off Fifth Aunt's face.
Fifth Uncle, who had just managed to step out and compose himself, heard the terrible news the moment he re-entered the banquet hall. He twisted his ankle and nearly fell flat on his face right then and there.
Rochelle Rowland was also stunned. She immediately forgot about her own son's troublesome romantic entanglements and instead took her sister-in-law's cold hand.
Arabella Donovan didn't notice their strange reactions, focusing instead on trying to recall the plot points related to Fifth Aunt's family.
As a direct uncle to the main characters' family, Fifth Uncle's family didn't appear until fairly late in the story, but when they did, they dropped a bombshell.
Fifth Uncle's grandchild had leukemia.
Arabella Donovan completely lost her composure at this revelation.
