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.

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

sip

glass and took a small sip in acknowledgment. It was more for Gavin's sake than

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

didn't know

would she bring that

raised an eyebrow.

Jake to 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,

on, the complexities of their past were something everyone

by not moving back home, mainly to

suggest that Jake was the one who listened to

game, indicating

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

surprise. "Weren't you both in

every word. If anyone could convince him,

thought, "What is this

are you talking about? I grew up

clearly wearing thin. "Selena, if you're

off guard by Lewis' sudden

Ryan and Ellie shared a glance. They didn't know about Keira and Jake's history, but they could sense the tension in

was stirring the pot, and it seemed like Keira and

Gavin? He was

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