A Wedding Night Gone Terribly Wrong novel Chapter 28

The addition of the two loud, unapologetically cheerful adults immediately livened up the atmosphere.

Comfortable leaving the twins in their care, Winifred slipped away to check on her nieces.

Just as she reached the top of the stairs, she heard the girls whispering frantically inside their room. Not wanting to interrupt, she stood silently in the hallway and waited.

Larissa was asking, "Shelly invited us out. Uncle Quentin is at the electronics store buying phones right now, and then they're taking us out for Korean BBQ. Are you coming or not?"

"Buying phones?" Demi asked. "Is Uncle Quentin buying Shelly another phone?"

"No, he's buying them for that reality TV star, Iris Morgan. The celebrity got her feelings hurt today, so he’s trying to cheer her up and comfort her."

Demi was only seven; she had no idea what a 'reality TV star' was. Instead, she asked, "Wait, did you sneak your phone out again?"

Larissa sounded defensive. "What's the big deal? Every girl in my class has a phone. Why shouldn't I be allowed to play on mine?"

"Because Aunt Winifred made a rule with us," Demi reminded her. "We only get an hour of screen time on weekends."

"Aunt Winifred? She's just a glorified maid. If you let her control you, you're a total loser."

"Don't call her that! She's really nice to us."

"You're so stupid! Uncle Quentin is a medical doctor and he’s super handsome. She’s just a divorced woman with two kids tying her down. Uncle Quentin doesn't even want her! She only forced her way into our house so she could trap him, and now she’s just trying to kiss our asses."

Demi sounded shocked. "Did Shelly tell you to say that? You never used to talk bad about Aunt Winifred."

Larissa groaned in annoyance. "Ugh, whatever! Who cares? We should just hang out with whoever makes us happy."

There was a brief pause in the room.

"Oh, by the way," Larissa added, "Shelly also said my favorite idol is coming to Kingsbridge to film a show next week, and she has VIP tickets. She said she’d take me!"

Demi was still too young to care about celebrities. She sounded a bit bummed out. "That sucks. Now I’m gonna miss a chance to hang out with Shelly. Just give me my iPad, I’m gonna play some games to feel better."

"Do not let the glorified maid catch you with the iPad," Larissa ordered strictly.

"I know! If Aunt Winifred finds out Shelly bought us iPads, she'll get jealous, totally lock us down, and never let us see her again."

She sat back down next to her children, focusing entirely on feeding them. She picked up a piece of shrimp to peel for Annie, but her fingers were trembling so badly she could barely hold it.

Demi and Larissa took their seats. As they ate, they kept their heads down, their eyes glued to their laps. Winifred realized they had their phones hidden in their pockets and were constantly checking their messages.

After only a few bites, Larissa stood up to use the restroom. When she returned, she stood far away from the table. "My stomach hurts. I think I need to go for a walk outside."

Demi immediately dropped her chopsticks. "I ate too much. I want to go for a walk too."

Celeste, her cheeks stuffed with chicken, pointed a drumstick at them disapprovingly. "Winifred works herself to the bone taking care of you two! She’s worked hard all year, and today is her birthday. The twins are still little, and their dad isn't even here; they're lonely. Sit down, have some cake, and sing them a birthday song!"

"They're just kids," Eleanor interrupted sharply. "They don't know anything about 'keeping people company.' Plus, Larissa’s stomach hurts. Why would you force her to sit there in pain?"

"Are you kidding me?!" Celeste nearly jumped out of her chair, brandishing the chicken leg. "Larissa is taller than I am! If she's a child, what does that make me? A toddler?"

Winifred quickly pushed Celeste back down into her seat, holding her there with a forced smile directed at the two girls.

Demi wiped her greasy mouth. "Don't come looking for us later, Aunt Winifred. Thanks!"