Chapter 28
Blair had prepared for a battle, but not for war. She couldn’t believe aunt Viv had invited Dan without telling her.
As she stepped into her aunt and uncle’s grand dining room, the scent of roasted lamb and fresh bread filled the air, but it did nothing to soften the tension in the room. Aunt Viv and Uncle Peter sat at opposite ends of the long mahogany table, their expressions carefully neutral. Paula stood near the fireplace, quiet, her hands clasped tightly in front of her.
Dan was already seated, one arm draped lazily over the back of his chair like he had every right to be here. The look on his face said it all. He believed he was about to get his way. Fat fucking chance. Blair hated him.
Then the door creaked open behind them. She knew before she even turned. Laura. Just great.
So all the key players were here. This was going to be explosive.
Blair’s breath caught for half a second before she forced herself to exhale, slow and controlled. Laura stepped inside, scanning the room before settling on Dan. She didn’t say a word. Just moved to the table and sat down.
Had she told Dan she was pregnant yet?
Keira stiffened beside Blair. “Didn’t realize this was a full–on intervention,” she muttered.
Blair’s fingers curled into fists. Aunt Viv clasped her hands together like she had just solved some grand dilemma. “We’re all adults here. It’s time to sit down and work this out.”
Work this out? Blair nearly laughed. There was no working this out. Not after being with Roman and Dan’s cheating.
Sutton must have sensed the storm brewing, because she stepped in smoothly. “Why don’t we sit? Because being on my feet is killing me.”
Blair didn’t move right away. She wasn’t sure she could without saying something she’d regret. But then Paula caught her eye. She gave the smallest nod, a quiet show of support.
Blair took a seat next to Sutton. Keira didn’t sit. She stood behind them both, arms crossed.
The moment they were settled, Aunt Viv launched into her well–rehearsed speech.
“Blair, I know things have been strained between you and Dan, but you’ve been together for years. It would be foolish to throw that away over a misunderstanding.”
Blair scoffed. “Misunderstanding?”
Dan leaned forward, flashing the charming smile that had once made her heart race. Now it made her sick. “Babe…”
Keira held up a hand. “Nope. Absolutely not. You don’t get to ‘babe‘ her. That ship sank, hit the ocean floor, and was eaten by
sharks.”
Aunt Viv shot Keira a sharp look before refocusing on Blair. “You love each other. You can work through anything.”
Blair held her gaze, steady and unyielding. “No, Aunt Viv. My life is no longer aligned with Dan’s. He made his choice.”
Uncle Peter, who had been silent until now, finally spoke. “You’re being stubborn. Marriage is about forgiveness. About building a life together even when things aren’t perfect. Whatever is going on here, sort it out.”
Blair barked out a humorless laugh. “Is that what you told yourself every time you did the unthinkable?”
The room went deadly silent.
16:08 Wed, 18 Jun
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Uncle Peter’s face darkened, red creeping up his neck. He would hate her for confronting him like this.
Aunt Viv stiffened. “Blair, this is not the time.” She glanced at Paula.
Blair let out a short breath. “No? I think it’s very apt.” She turned her attention back to Dan. Would he come clean, or was she going to have to do it for him? Uncle Peter would have no issue with Dan sleeping around. How could he when he’d done the same? But Aunt Viv? Would she be okay with it? Just to keep this marriage on track?
Dan cleared his throat. “I made a mistake, okay? But I love you.”
Keira made a disgusted noise. “That’s a lie.”
Dan ignored her. “We’re meant to be together. To get married. Start a family. I still want that. Don’t you?”
Blair looked at Laura as she felt Sutton squeeze her hand under the table. She took a slow breath.
“Dan,” she said carefully, “what you want stopped mattering the second you chose to betray me.”
She flicked her eyes toward Laura, but her cousin looked
away.
She watched them both closely. Dan didn’t even look at Laura.
Laura shifted in her chair. This was the first time she had moved since entering the room. She still didn’t speak. Just listened.
Dan’s jaw tightened. “It wasn’t like that.”
Keira tilted her head. “Oh? Then what was it like?” Her voice dripped with sarcasm.
Aunt Viv let out a long–suffering sigh, like this entire conversation exhausted her. “Blair, if you don‘
create such an unnecessary mess.”
4
Blair blinked, her pulse spiking. “A mess for who? You? You mean you don’t get what you want?”
They hadn’t asked what Dan had done. Because they didn’t care.
get back together, it will
Uncle Peter exhaled through his nose. “For all of us. Your wedding was planned. The whole town knows. This could be embarrassing. Your life was set. You’re not thinking rationally.”
Blair’s control snapped.
“Not thinking rationally?” She pushed back her chair and stood. “I walked in on my fiance with someone else doing the nasty, and you’re telling me I should marry him, anyway?” But to uncle Peter, that would be no big deal.
Paula gasped, turning stunned eyes towards Dan. Clearly upset by his behavior. “Dan… how could you?”
Sutton rose beside her. “Blair doesn’t owe anyone an explanation. And she definitely doesn’t owe Dan another chance.”
Keira nodded. “If this is an ambush, you should’ve at least put in more effort. This is pathetic. Maybe have all the facts first.”
Aunt Viv pursed her lips. “This is about them, Keira. About them creating a family.”
Family… Blair almost snorted. Dan had already started on that. Just not with her.
Keira let out a sharp laugh. “Family? Since when do you care about that? This is about you getting a leg up in town.”
Aunt Viv’s expression hardened. “This is ridiculous. Dan made a mistake, Blair. Forgive him.”
Blair’s eyes flashed. “After everything you went through, you’re going to side with him?”
16:08 Wed, 18 Jun
Disgust curled in her
stomach.
Before
Aunt Viv could respond, the front door slammed open SO hard it rattled the chandelier.