Chapter 100
Outside, the evening air is cool against my skin. I drive through the familiar streets with subtle tension in my chest. The sun is just beginning to ser casting everything in gold and shadow. I keep glancing at the key he gave me, sitting in the cup holder. I don’t know what’s more dangerous—bim pod me this much access or me wanting it.
By the time I pull into my mother’s driveway, the sky is darkening. I park behind Nathan’s car and walking up the steps and knocking.
Jade answers and barely spares me a glance as he moves out of the way.
I step out, smoothing my dress once more before
I walk in, and the scent of rosemary and garlic hits me immediately. Laughter drifts from the kitchen. I follow the sound past the living room, where Nathan’s sitting in a crisp suit watching TV.
I wave. He waves back, the picture of composed anticipation.
My purse goes down on the nearest side table. I follow the sound of laughter into the kitchen and stop at the doorway. My mother and Serena are standing at the counter, giggling like teenagers.
“Hey, Sloane,” Serena says, spotting me. “Come over here. I was just telling Mom about the time we ran out of our apartment because of that fat.”
Mom tilts her head. “Why would you run because of a rat?”
“It was a giant rat, Mom. Scared the living shit out of us. And then Sloane goes to security and asks if he has a gun
because she wants to shoot a rat.”
They both burst out laughing, carefree and loud, the kind of laughter that fills a kitchen and makes it feel like home. I just stand there by the doorway, watching them like I’ve wandered into someone else’s life. Any other day, I probably would’ve been laughing too–teasing Serena, rolling my eyes at the story, letting myself get pulled into the rhythm of their banter
But today? My mind’s not here.
It’s too loud in my head, too crowded with questions I can’t shake off. What if she actually cheated? What if everything I believed about my parents‘ split is wrong? What if she didn’t leave because of my dad’s distance or his coldness or the way he used to disappear into work–but because of some choice she made? A betrayal?
What if she chose Serena and left me behind for a reason?
What ifs and more what ifs, piling up like static behind my ribs, buzzing against my chest until I can’t breathe right.
Eventually, they notice. They stop laughing. Their smiles soften, then fade. Serena glances at me first, then Mom follows, both of them finally realizing I haven’t moved.
“Sloanie–bug,” Mom says. “Are you all right?”
“I’m fine,” I say, remembering what Knox said about today being Serena’s day and stepping into the light. “What’s for dinner?”
Serena starts listing dishes. “Grilled sea bass, mashed potatoes, roasted carrots, and Mom’s ridiculously addictive garlic bread.”
“Come join us,” Mom says, gesturing to the sink,
I wash my hands at the basin while Serena makes room for me at the counter. We prep together, Serena and Mom chatting like old friends, sharing stories, and swapping memories. I laugh when I should, smile when they look at me, but I’m half a second behind on everything. I can tell they notice. But they don’t press. For that, I’m grateful.
Dinner is ready just as the sky outside fades to charcoal. We gather at the table, the plates warm and steaming. The clinking of cutlery fills the room
“This is really delicious, Margot,” Nathan says mid–meal, looking up from his plate.
Chapter 100
Mom gives him a gracious smile. Thank you.
And it looks healthy enough for the baby.”
The words drop into the air like a grenade.
“The what? Mom asks.
“Nathan!” Serena hisses.
Nathan blinks, clearly regretting it. “Sorry. You weren’t supposed to know that we knew.”
“You know what?” Mom says slowly.
“That you’re pregnant,” he says.
Mom shoots a look at Jade, who’s suddenly very interested in his glass of wine. “Really?” she says, voice sharp.
“Sorry,” he mumbles. “It kind of slipped out.”
“You men are the worst with secrets.”
“Why was it a secret, though?” Serena asks. “Why wouldn’t you tell us, Mom?”
Mom sighs. “I just wanted to be sure I could carry to term first.”
“Of course you can. You’re strong. What is it? A boy or a girl?”
“For now, triplets.”
“Triplets?!” Serena and I say at the same time.
“IVF statistics,” she says. “The more embryos, the better the odds.”
“And if they all survive?” Serena asks.
“Then I guess you and Sloane are each getting one.”
“No way,” I say, setting down my fork. “That’s not happening.”
“We’ll see.” Mom smiles. “At least now I don’t have to lie about why I have to pee all the time.”
Across the table, I notice Nathan giving her a signal–a subtle flick of his fingers. Mom nods slightly, then stands.
I’ll be right back. Need to pee,” she says, disappearing down the hall.
It’s happening. I can feel it in the air. Nathan is fidgeting. Jade is too still. Serena is oblivious.
The conversation turns awkward without Mom here. We talk about movies, traffic, the weather. Nathan asks Jade about stocks. I say something about a book. It’s all filler, pending when Mom, the life of the room, returns.
There she is now, holding a cake. A lit cake.
“Is that a cake?” Serena asks, confused. “Where was it? I didn’t see it.”
“I hid it,” Mom says, setting it down.
We can all see the words written on it: ‘Marry Me, Serena‘
Chapter 1001
Serena freeres
Nathan it already pushing back his chali, exiting on one knee, ring few in kară
one it clearing his front
“garenia” he begins. “Words cannot express how happy you trinka tria. I feet tease load big as yours. I want us to keep feeling this for the rest of our lives. With you tharry
All eyes are on her,
From the look on Serena’s face, I can tell something’s wrong.
I than I thought was physalle, and my festines for you sis Fance at
At first, it’s subtle. Just this tightness around her eyes, like the’s holding her breath behind her smile. But then I see the way her hands are curled under the edge of the table, knuckles blanching white. Her shoulders are stiff.
The others start to notice too.
Nathan’s still kneeling beside her chair, ring box open, his face full of soft, hopeful confusion. He looks up at her, then glances at the rest of us. Jade fiss frozen halfway through a sip of wine, eyes narrowed in Serena’s direction.
Mom looks between us all, probably trying to figure out why the mood in the room changed so suddenly.
And me?
I’m just sitting here, heart beating too fast.
Because I know Serena. I know that look. I know when she’s seconds away from doing something impulsive, something reckless and emotional
“…” she starts, voice trembling. “I care about you so much, Nathan. And I’d like to marry you. But there’s something you must know first. I can’t keep lying.”
Nathan’s no longer smiling. “We can go outside and talk about it, Rena,” he says.
Jade is shaking his head, a warning.
I don’t know whether Serena telling Nathan she’s in love with Jade would be a relief or a disaster.
I glance at Mom. She’s gone still, eyes slowly shifting from Jade to Serena, then to me. There’s confusion there. Worry. That particular narrowing of the eyes that only mothers have when they’re aware that something is off.
“What is going on?” she asks.
“Serena,” Jade says carefully, “maybe you and Nathan should go outside. Talk things out.”
“I support that,” I add quickly.
But Serena shakes her head, tears slipping down her cheeks. “I’m so sorry, Mom. And I’m sorry, Nathan. But I have to say it.”
“Don’t,” Jade hisses, “Don’t you dare.”
“Dare what?” Mom snaps. “Somebody tell me what the hell is going on.”
Serena keeps her head down. “I’ve harbored feelings for Jade for a while now, Mom,” she says in a voice so low, we barely hear her.
Nathan is frozen. “Like you’re in love with him?
Mom has gone rigid. Jade looks like he might explode.
“Not just that,” Serena says. Her voice breaks. “Once, when he was very drunk and thought I was Mom… we had sex.”
