Chapter 18 - THE SECOND DINNEROne year after the infamous dinner, Maren received an invitation.
From Corinne.
A family dinner.
Maren stared at it.
“You don't have to go,” Graham said.
She looked at him.
“I know.”
“Whatever you choose.”
Maren smiled.
“Then let's go.”
The same dining room looked completely different.
Same chandelier.
Same polished table.
But the atmosphere had changed.
Corinne personally carried the plates.
Helena brought flowers.
Matthew opened the door for them.
Paige ran toward Grace.
No one told Maren to work.
No one questioned her pregnancy because she wasn't pregnant anymore.
Instead, they asked how she was.
They listened.
During dinner, Helena stood.
“I want to say something.”
Everyone became quiet.
She looked at Maren.
“I was cruel to you.”
Maren said nothing.
“I blamed you for things that had nothing to do with you.”
Helena's voice shook.
“You didn't steal my son.”
She smiled sadly.
“You helped him find himself.”
Maren felt tears in her eyes.
Graham reached beneath the table and held her hand.
For the first time, the Mercer family sat together without pretending.
May you like
The past was still there.
But it no longer controlled the room.
