Two Can Play (Celeste and Dominic) novel Chapter 391

PAT

My mother was the first to pressure me.

"Say yes, Patricia!" She was practically bouncing in her seat. "What are you waiting for? A man like this does not come twice. Say yes!"

Everyone at the table watched me, and at the center of it all Kingsley knelt on the floor, the ring glinting between his fingers, watching me with that calm, peaceful smile, looking straight into my eyes like he meant to put me under a spell.

My head was screaming no. The voice inside me was loud and clear, warning that if I went along with Kingsley's charade, it would bite me in the ass later. But my eyes drifted to Vivian, and the jealous, furious look on her face was the sweetest thing I had seen all day. If only for the sake of delivering a slap to Vivian's face, I would go through with it.

"Yes," I said, letting the excitement show. "Yes, I will marry you."

Kingsley's face split into a grin. He kissed my hand, slipped the ring onto my finger, and got to his feet, pulling me into his arms and hugging me like I was the answer to every prayer he had ever whispered.

"Congratulations!" "Wonderful news!" "God bless you both!"

The words came from every direction. My parents, my relatives, the same people who minutes ago had been mocking my career and my singlehood, now surrounded me with smiles so wide they looked painful, blessing my union and shaking Kingsley's hand like he was royalty. It was ridiculous, the way they all fawned over him, as though he had lifted me from trash to treasure in a single kneel.

My father was the loudest. "Mr. Duke, those gifts you brought are amazing. Truly amazing. I have never seen such generosity in my life."

The other relatives leaned in, eyes bright with greed. "Yes, Mr. Duke, are our own gifts included too?"

"Of course," Kingsley said easily. "I brought something for everyone."

Kingsley furrowed his brows. "But I heard Pat's younger sister already has three children. So you already have grandchildren."

My mother waved a hand. "Come on, what are you saying? You know the first grandchild from a first daughter is different. That is basically the first fruits of the family. It is more important."

I coughed and rolled my eyes again, unable to believe this was the same mother who, a while ago, had declared that if she had not given birth to me first, she would never have had to give birth to me at all.

Vivian could not take it anymore. She shot to her feet, her face red with fury. "Mom, what are you saying? Why are you acting like I'm invisible? Today is my birthday! You're supposed to be about me!"

Her voice trembled, tears of rage glistening in her eyes. "I am so disappointed in you. After everything my husband and I have contributed to this family, you treat us like this? You forget us so easily?"