Minding my manners, I carefully dabbed at the corners of my mouth with the fine linen napkin. My stomach was churning so fast, it was a miracle I could keep anything down. I glanced at Stephen. He smiled warmly at me. I felt encouraged so I looked down the table at his mother, the Matriarch of the family. She looked from Stephen to me and glowered. She mouthed the word “NO” at me and slightly shook her head as if to tell me Stephen would never be mine. The fight was on.

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