Vivian came too.
That choice surprised everyone.
Especially Vivian.
“You’re certain?” she asked when Ethan invited her.
“No.”
“Then why?”
“Because Noah wants you there.”
Vivian hesitated.
“And you?”
Ethan looked at her.
“I’m willing.”
That was not forgiveness.
Not exactly.
But it was honest.
Dinner began awkwardly.
Marcus had not seen Vivian outside court proceedings.
Vivian had never apologized to him directly.
Before dessert, she did.
“I damaged your reputation in Ethan’s eyes.”
Marcus nodded.
“You did.”
“I also used you to hurt Rachel.”
“Yes.”
“I’m sorry.”
Marcus considered.
“Thank you.”
Nothing dramatic happened.
No hug.
No absolution.
They ate cake.
Rachel would have laughed at the whole thing.
She hated birthday dinners that became emotional tribunals.
Ethan could almost hear her.
Can we please eat before everyone starts healing?
After dinner, Noah disappeared upstairs.
Marcus’s wife helped clear plates.
Vivian stood near the brass star in the floor.
She looked down.
“I never knew.”
Ethan came beside her.
“About the box?”
“Yes.”
“She was right.”
“About what?”
“You hated the floor.”
Vivian laughed quietly.
“I did.”
“You asked us to replace it at least twenty times.”
“Dark walnut made the room feel small.”
“Rachel loved it.”
“I know.”
Vivian touched one foot beside the brass star.
“I used to think she disagreed with me because she enjoyed it.”
Ethan smiled.
“She did sometimes.”
Vivian looked at him.
He continued.
“She also disagreed because you were often wrong.”
“Careful.”
The old warning.
For a fraction of a second they both froze.
Then Vivian smiled sadly.
“Sorry.”
Ethan realized something.
The phrase no longer controlled him.
“Mom.”
“Yes?”
“Did you ever hate Rachel?”
Vivian took a long time.
“Sometimes.”
He appreciated the honesty.
“Why?”
“She saw things in you I thought belonged to me.”
Ethan frowned.
“What does that mean?”
“You were my son.”
“I still am.”
“I know.”
Vivian looked toward the stairs where Noah had gone.
“I think after Caroline died, I made motherhood into ownership.”
Ethan said nothing.
“When you married Rachel, I felt replaced.”