Stand Me Up? I'll Marry His Billionaire Uncle novel Chapter 41

As soon as Sunny stepped inside, Annabelle greeted her with a warm, eager smile.

"Sunny, you're finally here!"

Annabelle all but dragged her to the sofa, fussing over her with a closeness that felt a little forced. In the past, Tristan's mother had always been polite and friendly, but never this solicitous.

From upstairs, Grandpa Lawson heard Sunny's voice and came down from his study.

"Ah, Sunny, just got off work, I take it? Busy lately? You look even thinner than before."

Sunny felt awkward under everyone's concerned gazes. "Grandpa Lawson, work has been hectic, but I'm managing."

"That's good. Our Sunny's always been capable. Has that burn on your neck healed up?"

Sunny blinked, surprised. How did they know about that?

She instinctively touched her neck, then smiled as if it were nothing. "It's fine now. Doesn't hurt anymore."

Grandpa Lawson's eyes drifted to his grandson, who stood awkwardly off to the side, and his voice sharpened. "Tristan, get over here!"

"Apologize to Sunny!"

Sunny arched her brow, watching Tristan drag his feet with obvious reluctance. She managed a casual smile. "Grandpa Lawson, there's really no need. It wasn't his fault."

She didn't need an apology—especially one offered without sincerity.

Annabelle chimed in, eager to smooth things over. "He really should apologize. Tristan can be careless, but he's just so busy, it's not that he doesn't care about you. Sunny, please don't hold it against him."

Tristan took a deep breath, head bowed, eyes fixed on the floor. "I'm sorry."

"Louder!" Grandpa Lawson barked, clearly losing patience.

Tristan's jaw tightened as he raised his voice. "I'm sorry. I didn't know you'd been burned."

Sunny couldn't help a faint, cynical smile. Would it have made any difference if he had known? Would he have rushed to check on her, or run to his precious little sister first?

She straightened. "Since we're all being so honest tonight, there's something I'd like to say. Tristan and I have already talked about it. Grandpa, I'm not sure if he's mentioned it to you before."

Tristan's heart stuttered. Was she about to tell Grandpa she wanted to break off the engagement?

Annabelle's hand shot out, clutching Sunny's. "Come now, Sunny, let's talk after dinner, shall we? It's almost seven—you must be starving."

Magnus, who'd been silent the whole time, seemed to catch on and quickly backed his wife up. "She's right. Let's eat first. Dad, shall we?"

Stellan stood, casting a sardonic glance at Luna's ashen face, then at Tristan's stormy expression.

In those brief moments, Tristan had genuinely feared Sunny would speak up, terrified that if she did, his sister would be shipped overseas for another five years.

Dinner was a tense, distracted affair. Sunny had just given Annabelle a reprieve, but she had every intention of finishing the conversation before the night was over.

"Grandpa, Dad, Mom, I'm finished. I'll head back to my room," Luna announced, setting down her fork—the first to leave the table.