Page 72 of Secrets & Curses of Fate

Had. Past tense.?

“Haden just recently started drawing, and it is so good,” Remiah gushed. My face heated when everyone looked at me.?

“It’s not that good.”?

“It’s good.” Della smiled as she sipped her drink.?

“You showed her your pictures?” Remiah asked. Remiah glanced at Della and gave her a big grin.?

“It's not a big deal.” I shifted uncomfortably. Remiah glanced at everyone as they watched the exchange.?

“Haden found his muse, and it’s Della.”?

“Remy,” I groaned, embarrassed.?

Della and Remy began chuckling. But Henry’s eyes filled with something I would expect from a proud father.?

“I’m glad you found your muse. That is the hardest part of becoming an artist.”?

“Here we go.” Penelope started bringing in enough plates to feed a small village. Gods, Della was not kidding. My mouth was watering as we began plating the roast and vegetables, as well as three different breads. Remiah handed me the plate of broccoli, and I immediately passed it to Della.?

“You don’t care for broccoli?” Penelope asked.?

“It’s never been my favorite.” I smiled. Penelope smiled brightly.?

Remiah and I had never had food like this before. Shit, we had never sat down at a table with our parents and shared a meal or a conversation, for that matter. I listened to them laugh and joke. But I could not take my eyes off of Della. She seemed so relaxed and carefree as she laughed at Henry’s terrible jokes.

Something tugged in my chest at the sight of her happiness. I really liked her like this. Remiah chimed in to the conversation more than I did. She had always been more talkative than me. But they included me when I went silent for too long. I sat back and couldn’t help the jealousy in my chest.

I would’ve given anything to grow up in a loving home like this. I couldn’t imagine having parents like Henry and Penelope. Holden was so kind and loving that I wondered if I would have ended up like him. But I ended up with the shittiest parents in the realm. Della’s hand covered mine and squeezed.?

“Are you alright?” she whispered.?

I held her gaze and nodded. She gave me a small nod back and looked across the table at Penelope. Della still squeezed my hand tightly in hers, and I didn’t dare remind her so she wouldn’t pull away.?

“Not to be rude,” Remiah said. Oh gods, I braced myself for whatever shit she would say. She looked at Della. “You said this was your family, but you don’t look like them, and you call them by their names.”

Everyone became quiet and looked at Della. She removed her hand from mine, and I instantly missed it.?

“They are my family, but not by blood.” Della frowned. “I knew their son before he passed away; he was my…best friend.”?

I saw the grief flash in her eyes and wished I could take it away from her.?

“You don’t think Della and I look similar?” Holden scoffed playfully.?

“Sorry,” Remiah said to Della when she saw how sad she got.?

“It’s alright.”?

Della’s eyes fell to the plate in front of her, and she pushed the food around without eating any. Penelope and Henry frowned at her but smiled when they saw me looking.?

“I hope you saved room for dessert!” Penelope stood up and went to the kitchen. Henry’s eyes widened as he looked at me. I saw a terror flash on Holden’s face. Della’s shoulders shook with laughter as she met Henry’s eyes.?

“I think since Della gave you the recipe, she should try it first tonight!” Holden called out. Sara was trying her hardest not to laugh. Della grabbed a piece of broccoli and chucked it at his head.?

“Wonderful idea,” Penelope called from the kitchen.?

“Watch your back,” she whispered to Holden. He and Henry started laughing loudly. I waited for her to look at me, but she didn’t. She seemed to be avoiding my gaze intentionally.?

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