The room fell silent as all eyes turned to the far end of the table, where Selena was holding her hand over her mouth, looking nauseous.
Gavin leaned in, worried. "What's wrong?"
Selena shook her head, unsure herself.
Maybe it was the knowledge that the soup had been tampered with. After all, she knew what had been added.
One shouldn't have felt anything—unless one had colon cancer.
Confused, she glanced at Gavin. He'd had some of the soup, too. Shouldn't he be feeling it by now?
Maybe the effects just hadn't kicked in yet.
"I'm fine," she said with a forced smile. "You should have some more soup."
Gavin seemed reassured and went back to his meal.
Selena's condition had worsened, though the doctors had told her that cancer patients who remained unaware of their condition often lived longer—months, even years.
It was psychological, they'd said, but in the end, it was just a temporary comfort.
Gavin continued drinking his soup, his mind elsewhere, before absentmindedly reaching for some vegetables slathered in peanut sauce.
Meanwhile, Selena set her utensils down and turned to Gavin. "I'm going to propose a toast to my aunt and uncle."
walked over to where
glass of champagne, she smiled warmly. "Aunt Keera, Uncle Lewis, I know I've been a little out of line in the past. I just want to apologize and ask for your understanding. This toast
a sip from
exchanged a look with Lewis, and with a slight nod, she raised her glass and took a small sip in acknowledgment. It was more
upset you earlier, Aunt Keera. That wasn't my intention. I just feel like the house is so
know whawt to
bring that
raised an eyebrow.
stop by sometime. I'd like to talk to him and clear the air. I know there's been some misunderstandings between us, and since Jake listens to you more than anyone else, maybe you
surface, Selena's words were harmless,
with Jake, and even though both of them had moved on, the complexities of their past were something everyone in the family
moving back
was the one
playing a dangerous game, indicating that "Keera" was actually
she was doing a damn good job. Keira placed her
Selena feigned surprise. "Weren't you both in
convince him, it would be you. You want our family
this
"What are you talking about? I grew up
patience clearly wearing thin. "Selena, if you're not enjoying dinner,
guard by
didn't know about
desserts. She was stirring the
He was completely in the
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