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."

Selena walked over to where Keira and Lewis were sitting.

she smiled warmly. "Aunt Keera, Uncle Lewis, I know I've been a little out of line in

sip from

exchanged a look with Lewis, and with a slight nod, she raised her glass and

finished. "I know I've said some things that upset you earlier, Aunt Keera. That wasn't my intention. I just feel like the house is so empty these days. It got me thinking. I hope you don't

know

would she bring that up

raised an eyebrow.

just hoping you could ask Jake to stop by sometime. I'd like to talk to him and clear the air. I know there's been some misunderstandings

harmless, but they

had moved on, the complexities of their past were something everyone

had distanced himself by not moving back home,

Jake was the

dangerous game,

her? If so, she was doing a damn good job. Keira placed her glass on

surprise. "Weren't you both in the

could convince him, it would be you. You want our family to get along, don't

thought, "What is this woman trying

I grew up in Clance. How could I have

cut her off, his patience clearly wearing thin. "Selena, if you're not enjoying dinner, you can leave.

off guard

They didn't know about Keira and Jake's history, but they could sense the tension

desserts. She was

He was completely

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