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.
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.
sip from her
and took a small sip in acknowledgment. It was more for Gavin's
I've said some things that upset you earlier, Aunt Keera. That wasn't my intention. I just
know whawt to
would she bring
raised an
to him and clear the air. I know there's been some misunderstandings between us, and since Jake listens to you
were harmless, but they carried
on, the complexities of their past were
had distanced himself by not moving back home,
was the one who listened to
clearly playing a dangerous game, indicating that "Keera" was
provoke her? If so, she was doing a damn good job. Keira placed her glass on the table
"Weren't you both in the same
hang on your every word. If anyone could convince him, it would be you.
thought, "What is this woman trying to
grew up in
patience clearly wearing thin. "Selena, if
froze, caught off guard by Lewis'
table, Ryan and Ellie shared a glance. They didn't know about Keira and Jake's history, but they could sense the tension in the
already didn't like Selena, saw this as her just desserts. She was stirring the pot, and it seemed like Keira and
was completely in
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