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.

out of line in

a sip

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

Selena wasn't 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

know whawt to

she bring that up

raised an

was 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 between us, and

words were harmless, but

and even though both of them had moved on, the complexities of

by not moving back home, mainly

that Jake was

playing a dangerous game, indicating that "Keera"

Selena trying to provoke her? If so, she was doing a damn good job. Keira placed her glass on the table with

Selena feigned surprise. "Weren't

your every word. If anyone could convince him, it would be you. You want our family

"What is this woman trying

about? I grew up in Clance. How could I have gone to college

say something more, but Lewis cut her off, his patience clearly wearing thin. "Selena, if you're not

off guard by Lewis'

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

Selena, saw this as her just desserts. She was stirring the pot,

Gavin? He was completely

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