I adjusted my hold on Arya, then slowly reached for my purse.
“Since we’re discussing secrets—”
Victoria’s smile flickered.
“What are you doing?”
“Oh, nothing dramatic,” I said lightly. “Just joining the conversation.”
I unzipped my bag deliberately, unhurried.
“Funny thing, Logan,” I added, glancing at him. “You mentioned that Boston trip. You were so supportive at the time. Drove me to the airport. Kissed me goodbye.”
His expression shifted slightly.
“Where are you going with this?”
“My point?” I placed my phone gently on the table. “My point is, it’s interesting how quickly you’ve embraced this narrative. Almost like you were guided there.”
Chloe shifted in her seat.
Victoria’s face tightened.
“How dare you?”
“I’m not accusing anyone,” I said calmly, my hand slipping deeper into my bag, fingers brushing against the envelope I had kept there, waiting. “I’m just noticing that this feels very coordinated. Very intentional.”
The room quieted.
Not completely, but enough.
The kind of silence that comes right before everything shifts.
Richard leaned forward slightly.
“Skyler, what exactly are you saying?”
I pulled the envelope out, held it in my hand for just a second.
“Something,” I said simply, “something I think everyone here deserves to see.”
Victoria’s eyes locked onto it instantly.
For the first time that evening, she looked unsure.
I walked slowly around the table. Arya rested against my shoulder, her fingers playing with my necklace, completely unaware of what was about to happen. I stopped right in front of Victoria, close enough that she had to look up at me.
“You know,” I said softly, almost conversationally, “you were right about one thing.”
She didn’t respond.
“Secrets destroy families,” I continued. “They break trust. They ruin lives.”
I placed the envelope down in front of her gently, but with purpose.
“That’s why I prefer everything to be out in the open.”
She stared at it like it might explode.
“What is this?”
“Go ahead,” I said. “Open it.”
“I don’t need to.”
I let out a small breath, then turned slightly, addressing the entire room.
“Since we’re sharing theories about my character, my loyalty, my child, I think it’s only fair that we share the truth as well.”
My voice sharpened just enough.
“You’ve already accused me of infidelity in front of everyone here. The least you can do is open an envelope.”
Logan pushed his chair back.
“This is ridiculous.”
“Sit down.”
I didn’t raise my voice, but it carried, and something in it made him stop.
“Your mother started this,” I said calmly. “She can finish it.”
Chloe reached toward the envelope.
“Maybe I should—”
“No.”
I moved it out of her reach without hesitation.
“This doesn’t involve you.”
I met Victoria’s eyes again.
“This is between you and me. Then everyone you invited to watch me be humiliated.”
The room fell into a heavy, suffocating silence. Even the wait staff had stopped moving, frozen near the doors with dessert trays in their hands, unsure if they should stay or disappear.
