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.
Holding up a 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. This toast is for you.”
She took a sip from her glass.
Keira exchanged a look with Lewis, and with a slight nod, she raised her glass and took a small sip in acknowledgment. It was more for Gavin's sake than anything else.
But 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 empty these days. It got me thinking. I hope you don't take it the wrong way.”
Keira didn't know whawt to say.
Why would she bring that up again?
Keira raised an eyebrow. “And?”
Selena smiled innocently. “I 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 more than anyone else, maybe you could help me mend things.”
On the surface, Selena's words were harmless, but they carried a hidden weight.
Keira had history with Jake, and even though both of them had moved on, the complexities of their past were something everyone in the family was aware of.
Jake had distanced himself by not moving back home, mainly to avoid any awkwardness.
So for Selena to suggest that Jake was the one who listened to Keira the most?
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