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.
"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
sip from her
glass and took a small sip in acknowledgment. It was more for Gavin's
intention. I just feel like the house is so empty these days. It got
know
bring that up
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 since Jake listens to you
surface, Selena's words were harmless, but they carried a
of them had moved on, the
moving back home, mainly to
was the one who listened to Keira the
playing a dangerous game, indicating
good job. Keira placed her glass on the table with a sharp thud. "I'm sorry, but I don't know
surprise. "Weren't you both in the same
every word. If anyone could convince him, it would be you.
thought, "What is this woman trying to
about? I grew up
opened her mouth to say something more, but Lewis cut her off, his patience clearly wearing thin. "Selena, if you're not enjoying dinner, you can leave. No
caught off guard by Lewis'
table, Ryan and Ellie shared a glance. They didn't know about Keira and Jake's
just desserts. She was stirring the pot, and it seemed like Keira and Lewis
He was completely
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