Chapter 90 #90
Chapter 90
~Dwayne's POV~
I watch her laugh at something Dante says, her hand resting on his arm, and something twists in my chest.
She's been avoiding me all day. Every time I enter a room, she leaves. Every time I try to speak to her, she finds an excuse to talk to someone else.
"Dwayne?" Marcus's voice pulls me back. He's sitting beside me at the table. "You good?"
"Fine."
"You're gripping that fork like you want to murder it."
I set it down. "I'm fine."
"Right. And I'm the Pope."
Across the table, Shailyn leans into Dante, whispering something that makes him smile. He kisses her temple, and I have to look away.
"Did I do something wrong?" I ask Luke quietly.
"What?"
"She's avoiding me. All day. Every time I try to help, she shuts me down."
"Maybe she's just busy."
"No. This is different. This is deliberate." I pause. "Do you think Dante said something to her?"
"About what?"
"About me. About... anything."
Luke considers this. "I don't know. But you should talk to her."
"I've tried. She won't let me near her."
Father's voice cuts through the room. "I was thinking we should do an after-Christmas party and end of year celebration for the company, and I'm putting Shailyn in charge."
Shailyn blinks. "Me?"
"You have an eye for this stuff. Plus, you work at SentientIQ. You know what people like."
"Why should she be the one to do it?" Monica asks. "What's her position in the company? She's just a debugger."
"She's pregnant," I say before I can stop myself. "She shouldn't be taking on extra stress."
Everyone turns to look at me.
Shailyn's eyes flash with annoyance. "I can handle stress. I'm pregnant, not incapable."
"That's not what I meant."
"Then what did you mean?"
"I just think maybe someone else should…"
"I'll do it," Shailyn interrupts, turning to father. "I'd love to organize the party."
Father claps his hands. "Excellent! We'll discuss details after Christmas."
I clench my jaw, forcing myself to stay quiet. She's glaring at me now, and I can see Dante pulling her closer, protective.
"Are you sure about this?" Dante asks her.
"Positive. It'll be fun."
"Just don't overdo it."
"I won't."
She glances at me briefly, and there's something in her expression that makes my chest ache. Then she looks away, dismissing me completely.
"What was that about?" Luke whispers.
"I was trying to protect her."
"From what? Planning a party?"
"From overworking herself. She's carrying twins."
"And she's also an adult who can make her own decisions."
I know he's right, but it doesn't make it easier to watch. I agreed to let her go, to let her figure things out on her own. But watching her with Dante, watching her push me away, it's harder than I thought it would be.
\---
The doorbell rings, and Monica jumps up. "That must be him now."
"Who did she invite?" Father asked Dante.
"She didn't mention anything."
I meet Shailyn's eyes across the table. She looks away immediately.
Monica returns with someone behind her. Jack. As expected.
"Everyone, since Jack will soon be part of the family, I invited him for dinner."
Jack Morrison stands in our dining room, smiling like he owns the place.
"Hello, everyone," he says smoothly. "Thank you for having me."
Father stands, extending his hand. "Jack. Good to see you again. Even though we weren't informed of this."
My eyes go to mother. She's pale. Very pale.
Dante's hand tightens around Shailyn's under the table. I can see it from here. What is this about?
Jack's gaze sweeps the room, landing on Shailyn. "Mrs. Shailyn. It's been a while. Good to see you."
"Thank you?" She sounds uncertain.
I don't trust him. I never have. But now, watching him sit down like he belongs here, I know I have a reason not to.
He told me he was coming. He called yesterday, casual as anything, mentioning Monica had invited him. I should have warned everyone. Should have done something. But I was also curious.
"So, Jack," father says as Rosa serves the first course. "How long have you and Monica been seeing each other?"
"A few months now. She's wonderful."
Monica beams. "He's pretty great too."
The conversation flows awkwardly around the table. I barely touch my food, too focused on watching Jack. On watching Shailyn.
She shifts in her seat, uncomfortable.
"Excuse me," she says suddenly, standing. "I need to use the restroom."
"Are you okay?" Dante asks.
"Fine. Just... you know. Pregnancy things."
She leaves, and I wait exactly thirty seconds before standing.
"Where are you going?" Luke asks.
"Bathroom."
"Dwayne—"
I'm already moving.
I catch her in the hallway, just outside the bathroom door.
"Shailyn."
She jumps, turning to face me. "Dwayne. You scared me."
"We need to talk."
"Not now."
"Yes, now." I step closer. "Why have you been avoiding me all day?"
"I haven't been…"
"Don't lie to me. You've been avoiding me since this morning. Every time I try to help, you shut me down. Every time I enter a room, you leave."
She looks away. "I've just been busy."
"That's not it. What did I do wrong?"
"Nothing. You didn't do anything wrong."
"Then why won't you look at me?"
She finally meets my eyes, and there's something broken in her expression. "Because I can't."
"What does that mean?"
"It means... it's complicated."
"Shailyn—"
"I need to go." She tries to move past me.
I catch her arm gently. "Did Dante say something to you? About me?"
"No. This isn't about Dante."
"Then what is it about?"
"Please, Dwayne. Just... let me go."
There's something desperate in her voice. I release her arm.
"Okay. But Shailyn? Whatever this is, whatever you're dealing with, I'm here. Always."
She doesn't respond. Just disappears into the bathroom, leaving me alone in the hallway.
I return to the dining room, feeling Marcus's questioning gaze on me. I shake my head slightly. Not now.
Jack is talking about some property development when I sit down. Father seems mildly interested with a curious gaze, but mother still looks pale.
"What did you say your full name was?" Father asks suddenly.
Jack pauses. "I didn't. But it's Jack Morrison Patterson."
The room goes completely silent.
"Morrison?" Father repeats.
"Yes. Why?"
"Just curious. It's a common name."
But father’s face has changed. Just for a second. So brief that most people wouldn't notice.
I notice.
Mother's knuckles are white where she grips her napkin.
"Actually," Jack continues, his voice taking on a different tone. "I had a sister. Jesse Morrison. She passed away years ago. She worked as an assistant for you.”
Cynthia's face drains of all color.
Father's jaw clenches, just for a moment, before his expression smooths back into neutrality.
But I saw it. I saw both their reactions.
"Ah, Jesse. She was an amazing assistant. I'm sorry for your loss," Father says carefully.
"Thank you. She was... she was everything to me."
The tension in the room is suffocating.
Shailyn returns, sliding back into her seat beside Dante. She looks between everyone, confused.
"Did I miss something?"
"No," Dante says quickly. "Nothing."
But Jack is smiling now. A cold, calculated smile that makes my blood run cold.
"Actually," he says, leaning back in his chair. "I think we're just getting started."