"Saint. Gemma." He nods to both of us. "Thank you for coming." He's formal in a way that makes my chest ache. We're strangers now. Allies and nothing more.
This whole dinner feels like a farce, and a deep sadness overtakes me. I want to leave, but I know we can't.
"Family is important," Saint says smoothly. The mocking lilt in his voice is not missed by anyone, and Sera's smile falters slightly.
"I've missed being home," I say, trying to build a bridge for Sera's sake. "It'll be nice to eat something familiar."
Sera smiles. Saint's brow raises. And Luc grins. Only Adrian stares ahead, face cold and hard.
"We should go into the dining room," Sera says. "We can have drinks in there."
I nod, following Sera, listening quietly while she chats. She talks about Angelo and her work, her words coming a mile a minute. I can't focus on anything other than the back of my brother's head. I try not to stare daggers into it, but it's hard not to let my anger go in his presence.
"Mrs. Nero," Grant, our butler, nods to Sera as she walks in. "Dinner is ready to be served."
Sera frowns slightly. "Oh," she says. "I thought we'd have a drink and chat first."
"I had the schedule changed." Adrian pulls out Sera's chair, but his eyes don't leave Saint and me. He watches as Saint guides me into my chair.
"But—"
He presses a kiss to her forehead. "You need rest." He looks up at the three of us. "I'm sure you all can understand."
No one says anything.
It doesn't take long for food to make its way to us, and small talk starts. It's excruciating.
Sera asks about my life, and I give vague answers. Saint handles most of the conversation, playing the role of devoted husband. Not perfectly—he still snipes at Adrian every chance he can get, but I don't mind it.
It's a testament to our efforts that Adrian takes it, eyes narrowing only slightly.
He knows he needs to play nice with Saint. I bite back the smile that this knowledge gives me.
"So," Adrian says, cutting into his steak. "Any news?"
The question hangs in the air. He's not asking about the weather, and we all know it.
That smile I'd been trying to hold back vanishes.
"No," I say shortly. "No news."
Sera reaches across the table, squeezes my hand. "It'll happen. These things take time."
"How long did it take you?" The question comes out sharper than I intended. "Once?" They got pregnant after a one-night stand, so Sera's the last person I want lecturing me about waiting.
She blinks. "This time it took three months."
I snort, knocking back my wine. "It's been five."
"The average is six," Sera says. "Maybe?—"
Adrian interrupts. "They don't need a biology lesson," he snaps. Sera's eyes narrow, but she keeps her mouth shut. My brother has taught her well. "Besides, I asked you all here because Sera and I have some news." He looks at his wife with genuine warmth. "We're having twins."
I hear Saint inhale sharply.
Twins.
Not just pregnant. Not just one baby. Twins.
