I walked over, gently took her arm, and helped her down.
"Aunt Louisa, I came today because... It's about the engagement."
Her face didn't change much, but I watched it like a hawk anyway, ready to call an ambulance if her blood pressure spiked again.
Louisa sighed. "Just say what you need to say. Don't worry, I won't overreact this time."
We sat.
I slid the box across the coffee table.
"This is the brooch you gave me back then. Now that Rhys and I are no longer engaged, it doesn't feel right for me to keep it. I'd also like the gold ring my parents gave your family returned. Let's just make a clean break."
Louisa ran her fingers over the brooch.
Next to her, Willow sat like she'd been sculpted from pure snobbery—chin up, shoulders back, eyes full of suspicion.
