My sisters were huddled together in the far booth by the window, each of them holding a coffee like it was a prop in whatever interrogation they were about to stage. Sabrina was leaning forward, animated as always. Serena was nodding eagerly beside her. And Elena—calm, composed Elena—sat back with that quiet, knowing look she wore whenever she was three steps ahead of everyone else.
I exhaled slowly and slipped behind the counter.
“Morning, boss,” Crystal greeted with a bright smile, already packaging an iced Americano for a waiting customer.
"Morning," I said, tying my apron loosely, though I had no plans to work today.
I reached for my favorite mug—the pale blue one with the chipped rim—and began making my coffee the way I liked it. Two shots of espresso. A dash of cinnamon. Oat milk, not too much foam. My hands moved automatically, but my mind was elsewhere.
As much as I loved this café—loved the soft hum of conversation, the hiss of milk frothers, the comfort of routine—I knew things were shifting. My life was shifting. The reality of being tied to one of the wealthiest men in the country meant my schedule wasn’t exactly my own anymore.
I glanced at Crystal.
“You know,” I began casually, stirring my coffee, “I might need you to pick up more shifts soon. Possibly run the place for me most days.”
Her head snapped up. “Are you serious?”
I nodded. “I’ll still handle payroll and ordering. But day-to-day? You’d take care of that.”
Her face lit up like I’d handed her a winning lottery ticket. “I would love that.”
I smiled, genuinely relieved. “Good. Because things are… about to get complicated.”
She eyed me curiously but didn’t pry. Crystal had always been good at that, knowing when to ask questions and when not to. Coffee in hand, I turned toward the booth where my sisters were watching me like predators tracking prey. I quickly removed the apron and headed in their direction.
Sabrina's eyes shot to my left hand. She gasped. “Is that an engagement ring?”
Serena followed her gaze, then both of them froze.
“Elena,” Sabrina whispered sharply, gripping her arm. “Do you see that?”
“Oh, I see it,” Elena said smoothly, taking a slow sip of her coffee.
I slid into the booth across from them, deliberately slow, deliberately calm. Sabrina didn’t even bother with greetings. She grabbed my hand outright, before I could even set my mug down.
“What is this?” She lifted my hand, letting the diamonds sparkle.
Serena leaned in, eyes wide. “There’s a wedding ring as well.”
I smiled sweetly. “Good observation.”
Their heads snapped up to look at me in unison.
“What’s going on?” Serena pushed.
I leaned back, crossing my legs, letting the diamonds catch the morning light.
“Well,” I said lightly, “it’s funny you should ask.”
“Elena,” Sabrina accused suddenly, pointing at her, “why are you not shocked right now?”
She didn’t answer right away, watching everything unfold with a knowing smirk on her face. I smirked right back.
“Elena knew,” I said simply.
That was all it took.
Both twins whipped their heads toward her.
