Chapter 3 - Garrick at the Head of the Table
Garrick Ashford was used to sitting at the head of things.
Head of the table.
Head of the household.
Head of every conversation Sienna tried to enter.
He liked arrangements that announced power before he spoke.
Tonight, the dining room had been arranged exactly that way. He sat beneath the chandelier with the roast in front of him, carving knife safely resting beside the platter, wineglass near his right hand, family seated around him like loyal witnesses.
Sienna had been placed where he could watch her.
Her mother saw that now.
The chair was not simply a chair.
It was a position.
Close enough for Garrick’s correction. Far enough from the doorway. Facing Miriam. Surrounded by people who had already decided not to help.
Sienna’s mother looked at each family member.
One cousin stared at his plate.
An aunt adjusted her napkin.
A younger man lifted water to his lips but did not drink.
Another woman pretended to examine the floral centerpiece.
Cowards had many costumes.
Garrick noticed the inspection and laughed with sudden cruelty.
“You don’t get to walk into my house and judge us.”
Sienna’s mother turned back to him.
“Your house?”
Miriam’s lips tightened.
Garrick’s nostrils flared.
“My family’s estate.”
Sienna’s mother looked around the room once more.
The framed paintings. The chandelier. The expensive plates. The cold hallway beyond the double doors.
Then she looked at Sienna.
Her daughter’s eyes were full of fear and apology, as if somehow her injury had inconvenienced everyone.
That broke something inside the older woman.
Not visibly.
Visibly, she remained calm.
Inside, a decision became permanent.
The doorbell rang again.
This time, every person at the table reacted.
Miriam gripped her wineglass.
Garrick’s hand moved toward his watch, then dropped.
Sienna’s mother placed her phone beside her plate.
The movement was small.
But Garrick stared at it as if it were a weapon.
“Who is outside?” he demanded.
Sienna’s mother folded her hands.
May you like
“Open the door and find out.”
Read Chapter 4 👉 Because Garrick controlled the table, but he did not control the door.
