The effect was immediate.
Margaret's hand froze mid-motion.
Pauline's teacup stopped just short of the saucer.
Benjamin didn't look up but the page in his hand stilled.
Evelyn felt it before she understood it. She could feel the sudden heaviness and the way the air seemed to thicken around the table.
"Ronald?" Pauline said slowly.
Alexander nodded. "Congratulated us."
Pauline's brows drew together. "The marriage hasn't gone public yet."
Her gaze shifted, not sharply, not accusingly but directly to Benjamin.
"How did he know?"
The silence that followed was deliberate and measured.
Every instinct in Evelyn told her this wasn't just curiosity but something more meaningful.
Benjamin finally folded the paper and set it aside neatly.
"He called me yesterday," he said evenly. "I told him."
He didn't sound defensive nor did he hesitate still no one relaxed.
Evelyn glanced between them, confusion blooming. "I am sorry but who is Ronald?"
No one answered immediately.
