Ellie stared at the message on her phone:
"Family dinner at 7. Everyone will be there. Please come." – Mom
She had ignored the last three invites. And the one before that.
She stood at the kitchen counter, untouched tea cooling by her hand.
At first, she was ready to decline. Again. But then,
Something clicked.
They wouldn't all be there unless something had changed.
Her parents never did anything unless it served a purpose.
And Lily? Lily didn't do "family bonding."
No, Ellie thought. This dinner isn't about reconciliation. It's about control. And if they're calling me in now, it means something's already gone wrong.
She picked up her phone.
"I'll be there."
---
Their house hadn't changed. Marble floors, cold lighting, everything polished but sterile.
Her mother greeted her at the door with a bright smile and arms that stretched too far too fast.
"Ellie, darling, you look so thin! Are you eating enough?"
"I'm fine," Ellie said with a nod, brushing past the hug.
She was led into the dining room where everyone had already gathered.
Jake was there.
So were his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Langford, all expensive smiles and stiff postures.
And then Lily. Wearing white.
Ellie didn't miss the way Lily's eyes flicked toward her the second she walked in. Like she was waiting for something. Maybe a fight. Maybe forgiveness.
Their father stood. "Ellie. Thank you for coming."
Ellie took her seat at the far end of the table. No one spoke for a moment. The clinking of cutlery was too loud, the silence too sharp.
Then her father cleared his throat.
"There's something we need to tell you."
Ellie didn't look up. She already knew.
"Lily is pregnant."
No one moved. No one breathed.
Except Ellie.
She raised her eyes slowly, gaze steady. "I figured."
Her mother blinked. "You… did?"
She nodded. "I had my suspicions. You don't call family dinners unless someone's either dying… or showing."
Lily looked away quickly.
Ellie's mind drifted — back to moments she had ignored. The way Lily would always "check on Jake" after meetings. The smug way she had acted even before the affair. It hadn't started recently. It had been planned.
Jake came from money. Power. And Lily wanted what Ellie had.
Not love. Not partnership. Position.
Her father spoke again, voice calm but forced.
"We want to marry Lily and Jake."
Ellie's eyes didn't widen. She simply said, "How will you deal with the public reaction?"
Jake's father, a round man with tired eyes, chimed in, "We'll say the engagement didn't work. There were differences. And Lily… well, she stepped in for the family."
"To protect our reputation," Ellie's mother added.
Ellie tilted her head slightly, "Typical. You didn't need to tell me. You could've just done it."
Mr. Langford spoke gently, like he was explaining something to a child.
"Now, Ellie, that's not how we handle things. You deserve to know. After all, you were part of this arrangement first."
Mr. Wrenmoor nodded. "It was always about the business, Ellie. The merge. Both companies needed it. We couldn't let it fall apart."
Ellie tilted her head. "And you think Lily knows the first thing about business?"
Silence.
"She can't read a report without asking what EBITDA means," Ellie continued, her voice smooth.
Lily's mouth opened, but Jake interrupted.
"I'll manage things," he said. His tone was quiet, almost ashamed. "The merge gives me full control anyway."
"I see," Ellie said, nodding once. "That's fine. As long as I get my inheritance, I have no objections."
A beat.
Then her father spoke first, too quickly. "Of course."
Her mother added, "Naturally."
Mrs. Langford gave a small smile. "Absolutely, dear."
Mr. Langford muttered, "Non-negotiable. We understand."
And then Ellie saw it, the visible relief wash over their faces. Her father loosened his collar. Her mother exhaled. Even Lily's shoulders dropped slightly, her lips parting like she was finally going to speak.
"Ellie—" Lily started.
But Ellie turned her head slowly.
One cold look.
No words.
Lily's mouth shut again.
Ellie stood.
"I'll have the paperwork sent over," she said quietly. "I hope the wedding is lovely."
And then she walked out.
She didn't rush. She didn't slam doors or throw glasses like Lily might have.
She stepped into the dark night and let the cool air wrap around her like armor.
As she reached her car, she smiled, sharp, cruel, and knowing.
Exactly the way I wanted, she thought.