Jane POV
“I’m so glad you’re here.”
The words came out of Rosie’s mouth like poison wrapped in sugar.
I looked up, heart already pounding, and saw her standing at the entrance to the dining room, a fake smile stretching across her face.
Her tone was cold, almost mocking, and her arms were crossed tightly like she was holding herself back from lunging at me.
“I’m glad too,” I said softly, trying to stay calm.
Carter stood beside me, hand gently resting on my lower back. I could tell he felt the shift in energy too.
His mother tried to soften the tension. “Well, we were just getting settled. Jane told us the news…”
She turned toward Rosie with a stiff smile.
“They’re expecting twins.”
Rosie’s perfectly shaped brows shot up. “Oh, really?” she said, with a short laugh. “Twins? Wow.”
Then she turned to Carter, smile still fake. “Are you sure they’re yours?”
The room froze.
My stomach twisted, and I instinctively placed my hand over my small bump.
Carter scoffed, face turning serious. “Of course I know they’re mine.”
Rosie raised a brow again. “I mean, how can you really know—”
“Stop it, Rosie,” Carter cut in, voice sharp. “Just stop. And if you’re going to keep talking like that, you can get out. No one asked you to stay for dinner.”
Rosie chuckled and waved her hand. “Oh, please. Don’t be like that, little brother.”
She walked toward the table and took her seat like nothing had happened.
Dinner was served shortly after. The staff placed roasted chicken, potatoes, and vegetables across the table like this wasn’t one of the most uncomfortable meals I’d ever had.
I sat beside Carter’s mother, who barely looked at me, and across from Rosie, who kept glancing up at me like she was waiting to catch me slip.
Carter tried to lighten the mood with small talk about work, the twins, and even how we argued over what baby names sounded “ too billionaire.”
I smiled at his effort, but I was tense.
And then, of course, Rosie started in.
“So, Jane,” she said casually, cutting her chicken like she didn’t just throw a grenade at the table earlier. “What do you do?”
I looked up at her, swallowing my nerves.
“I just graduated from Columbia,” I said. “With a degree in political science.”
“Impressive,” she said, voice tight. “Daddy must’ve had quite the pull there.”
I tried to stay calm. “No. I got in on my own. I worked hard.”
Rosie took a sip of her wine. “Of course.”
“And what about your mom?” she asked suddenly. “Is she going to be around for the twins?”
I felt a pinch in my chest.
“No,” I said, voice lower now. “My mom left when I was eleven. I haven’t seen her since.”
Rosie blinked. “So it’s just been you and Daddy dearest for most of your life?”
I nodded slowly.
“Then I’m sure you’ve learned a lot from him,” she said, voice laced with sarcasm.
I met her gaze directly.
“I did,” I replied. “Some things I wish I hadn’t. But others? Made me strong.”
She tilted her head, and for a moment, she didn’t have a snarky comeback.
Just then, Carter’s phone buzzed on the table. He glanced at it and frowned.
He sighed. “I need to go. Something urgent at Empire. I need to oversee something. It won’t take long.”
Rosie’s eyes sparkled. “Oh really?”
“Yeah,” he said, already standing. “You guys eat. I’ll be back soon. Jane—”
He leaned down and kissed the side of my head.
“I won’t be long,” he whispered.
I nodded, giving him a small smile, even though my stomach twisted with nerves.
He turned and walked out.
And just like that—I was alone.
Alone with the Kings.
And Rosie was still smiling.