Page 216 of Inside the Sun

"Jordan, please make some tea for everyone," Dad says, probably to snap him out of his gawking.

Instead of sitting on the couches, the three of us, me, Summer, and Ragnar, take seats at the dining table.

We choose the table because we know this conversation won’t be a relaxing one. The couches just feel too comfy for what’s coming.

I sit up straight on the chair, and Dad sits across from me, reaching out to clasp my hands in both of his.

"Sun, I know a lot has happened. Tell me everything," he says gently, his eyes locked onto mine.

So I begin.

First, I apologize for lying. Then I start talking about my reckless encounter with Anzo, how I split up with Martin during the charity event, and how I was kidnapped and taken to the Ferros' estate.

As I speak, Dad closes his eyes for a moment like he’s wrestling with something inside. But he doesn’t interrupt.

My father clenches his jaw and looks away, probably because he’s bracing himself for what I’m about to say next.

I walk them through everything that happened. I leave out the worst details, but I don’t skip over any of the major facts, like how Anzo electrocuted me, forced me into sex, what Summer went through, how we shared the same fate.

A few times, my dad tries to cut in, but I lift my hand and say,

"Please let me finish. We’ll talk after."

So I continue. Even telling them I had sex with Ragnar in the gazebo, risking Anzo’s fury. I expect Ragnar to look at least a little embarrassed, but his face stays calm, almost like he knows this is something we all have to face together.

Then I move on to the biggest reveal: that Anzo threatened me, first demanding I reveal Summer’s secret, then my own.

And finally, I drop the real bombshell:

That Ragnar and I discovered we’re True Mates.

That’s when my parents actually can’t stop themselves from reacting.

Their tense, drawn faces suddenly light up.

They’re still shaken by everything, but hearing that my pain wasn’t meaningless, that something good came of it, makes it easier for them to take it all in.

"Oh my God, Sun," my dad says. "That’s what you’d call a blessing in disguise. But weirdly, I’m not surprised. After all, someone did hint that this might happen."

With that, Dad turns to look at the one person not sitting at the table.

Snow is perched alone on a nearby couch, quietly listening to everything. His eyes shift between the floor, the glass patio door, and Summer. Even from here, I can hear his heart and it beats pretty quickly.

Dad nods.

"Yeah… I’ve gotta say, over the past two weeks, I’ve had so many moments where I wanted to jump in the car and drive straight to your dorm. My gut was twisted in fear, wondering where you were, what was happening to you. But every single time, Snow stopped me. He kept saying, ‘Everything’s on the right path. You can’t interfere now…’"

I notice Ragnar’s curious gaze as he studies Snow, finally seeing for himself the person he’s heard so much about, as someone with a gift not unlike Moon’s.

Though… maybe not exactly the same.

Snow’s ability is hard to categorize. He’d probably have to explain it himself, but he’s not exactly the talkative type.

The entire time I’m speaking, Summer keeps his head down, eyes on his hands.

Only now, when Dad mentions Snow’s role, does something shift.

He lifts his head slightly and sends Snow a quick, almost shy glance, then looks right back down.

---