Chapter 136

MICHAEL’S POV

My grandparent’s large living room felt like a theater of looming judgment this afternoon.

Every seat was occupied, and none of us was sitting with ease. It was like we all had fire under our buttocks.

At the head of the room, Grandpa Howard sat, his large frame rigid in his high-backed chair, his normal face was a mask of barely contained rage, lips pursed, eyes narrowed.

He gripped the armrests, staring at Elsa, who, as usual, was sitting in the far corner of the room; this time, she was avoiding his gaze like it would burn her alive.

Her posture was stiff, hands clenched tightly in her lap, her eyes moving about in every direction but Grandpa’s.

I found myself also mirroring Grandpa’s expression, the same fire in my own eyes.

I could feel my parents sitting on either side of me, their faces drawn tight with disgust, eyes locked on Elsa.

My mother’s lips were twisted, and my father’s fingers twitched as though ready to lash out at any moment.

The only person who wasn