Page 115 of Begin Again

“Perfect,” I echo, forcing a smile. I wonder if she hears the strain in my voice if she can tell that every muscle in my body is locked tight, holding in the urge to grab her by the throat and demand the truth.

Aubrey settles back onto the blanket, looking pleased as she takes another sip of her tea. “It’s nice, isn’t it? All of us together, celebrating Gabriel. It’s exactly what he would have wanted.”

The words are a knife in my gut.

Gabriel. My uncle. The man who was more of a father to me than the one she murdered. He trusted her. Loved her. And she’s sitting here, toasting to his memory like she didn’t put him in the ground.

My fingers curl into fists, nails biting into my palm.

“Yeah,” I say carefully, my voice even. “Exactly what he would have wanted.”

Selene shifts slightly, adjusting her position on the blanket so she’s facing Aubrey more directly. “It’s impressive how you put all this together,” she says, gesturing to the spread of food, the flowers, the carefully arranged decorations. Her tone is light, almost conversational, but there’s a subtle edge to it. “It must’ve taken a lot of time and planning.”

Aubrey waves a hand dismissively, though her smile widens at the compliment. “Oh, not at all. It’s second nature by now. My Gabriel deserved the very best, and I always made sure he got it.”

“I bet you did,” Mo chimes in, her tone playful but her words razor-sharp. “I mean, you’ve got a real knack for… making things happen, don’t you?”

Aubrey tilts her head slightly, her smile faltering just a fraction. “Well, I like to think so. My Gabriel always said I had a way of pulling off the impossible.”

“Like that time you got him out of that business deal that was going south,” Selene adds, her voice tinged with curiosity. “Theo told me about it once. You must’ve been under so much pressure, but you handled it perfectly.”

Aubrey’s expression brightens again, her pride clearly swelling. “Oh, that was nothing. Gabriel was too trusting sometimes, and I couldn’t stand the thought of anyone taking advantage of him. It wasn’t easy, but I’ve always believed in doing whatever it takes to keep us safe.”

My chest tightens at her words, the double meaning not lost on me. I keep my voice steady as I jump in. “You’ve always been the problem solver, haven’t you? It’s almost scary how good you are at it.”

Aubrey laughs lightly, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. “Well, someone has to be. I’ve learned that if you want things done right, you have to take matters into your own hands.”

Selene leans forward slightly, her elbows resting on her knees. “And sometimes,” she says softly, “that means making difficult choices. Doesn’t it?”

The air shifts.

A flicker of unease—maybe suspicion—crosses Aubrey’s face, but it’s gone as quickly as it appeared. “Life is full of difficult choices,” she says, her tone measured. “But I’ve never been afraid to make them when it’s for the greater good.”

Bile rises in my throat.

The greater good. That’s what she tells herself. That’s how she justifies it.

Aubrey killed for control. For power. Not for love. Love doesn’t make you slip poison into a cup. Love doesn’t make you turn accidents into murder.

Mo nods, a slow smile spreading across her face. “That’s what I admire about you, Auntie. You’ve got guts. Most people wouldn’t have the nerve to do what you do.”

Aubrey’s gaze sharpens, flicking briefly between Mo and Selene before settling on me. Does she see it? The truth bleeding through the cracks in my mask?

“You’re all being so complimentary this morning,” she says, her voice light but her smile tight. “I almost feel like I’m being buttered up for a favor.”

I shrug, forcing a casual tone. “This is your first anniversary without Uncle Gabe, we just wanted to do what we could to make today as perfect as we could for you. Besides, we’re just giving credit where it’s due. You’ve always been good at thinking three steps ahead. It’s a little inspiring, honestly.”

Aubrey chuckles, but there’s a wary edge to her laughter now. “Well, thank you, Teddy. That means a lot coming from you.”

She still calls me that. Like I’m still the little boy who ran into her arms when he scraped his knee. Like I’m still blind to who she is.

Selene picks up the thread smoothly. “I guess that’s why everyone trusted you so much. You always seemed to have everything under control.”

“Oh, I wouldn’t say everyone,” Aubrey replies, her smile returning but her eyes narrowing slightly. “There were always a few doubters here and there. But I’ve never let that bother me.”

“Of course not,” Mo says, leaning back on her hands. “You’re way too smart for that. You probably had them all figured out anyway.”

Aubrey’s fingers tighten slightly around her glass, the movement subtle but telling. “Well,” she says slowly, “it’s amazing what you can accomplish when you pay attention to the details.”

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