Arriving at her parents’ mansion, the place where Daphne had spent the majority of her teenage years, and not seeing her father, was already unnerving. Finding out that her mother had hired a maid, attending to her mother’s every whim was even more perturbing to Daphne.

  The maid had shepherded Daphne into the dining room, making her feel like a guest in what used to be her own home. Much to Daphne’s chagrin, all of her other siblings were already there, and she had been the last to arrive. She already felt her stomach rolling around at the idea that she already may have upset her mother at the beginning of the dinner, but her mother just smiled pleasantly at Daphne without a word.

  The dining space was an open concept, but instead of the table that Daphne had grown up with filling the space, an immense, polished, but ultimately raw, slice of wood table sat in the middle of it all.

  I didn’t even know she had replaced the original table. Daphne’s heart ached. She had spent many hours at the original one doing homework and asking for her father’s help.

  Despite the enormous width of the table, there was a crook in the log at the head of the table that made it so it could only fit a single chair in it. Of course, it was the chair her mother was standing right next to in a silver evening gown.

  She wouldn’t have it any other way.

  Much to Daphne’s displeasure, the maid directed her to sit right next to her mother, across from her brother Cy, and next to her younger brother Ollie. Daphne nodded at Ollie, and he nodded back.

  I’m not even sure how long it has been since I’ve talked to Oliver. I hope things have been going well for him. As long as things have been going better for him than they have for me, I suppose he’s probably doing alright.

  Daphne looked around the room suddenly realizing that while her mother had said it was a family dinner, she had literally meant the entire family. On Cy’s right was a gorgeous tanned blonde woman who was wearing a flashy sequined, hot pink gown that was nearly see-through. Cy was wearing a luxurious tux, but his hair was rumpled and curly, very much unlike how straight and pristine it looked whenever Daphne saw him on the news. He must have flown in this morning.

  Next to Cy’s girlfriend of the month was Michael, Maggie, and their two daughters. On the other side of Oliver was his long-term girlfriend Alexa, while Viola stood on the other side of Alexa.

  This is some Thanksgiving style family dinner…Not just a casual family dinner

  She also couldn’t help but notice that she, Oliver, and Alexa were the least well-dressed people at the table. Daphne had just grabbed some of her regular office clothes, knowing full well that she may never hear the end of it if she just showed up in sweat pants or jeans. Ollie had been the most bold of all, wearing a nice plaid button up shirt and a bright blue pair of jeans. Alexa was wearing a cute floral jumpsuit, but it still wasn’t exactly evening wear. And while Maggie’s family’s clothes looked a bit rumpled and un-ironed, they were at least closer to formalwear than what Daphne had thrown on.

  Viola was wearing a plain black even gown. She looked tired and ragged otherwise. It was a dress that Daphne was sure Viola and her mother had probably fought over, given her mother’s hatred for black.

  She really doesn’t look like she’s doing well. Just like Maggie said. Her demeanor has completely changed from the person that she was two years ago. She seems so much more closed off than she used to be.

  Daphne looked down at her own ruffled blouse and slacks. I should have thought to ask my mother the dress code for this family dinner. She looked back at her mother’s glittering silver gown. It’s so like Kimberly Woods to do something ostentatious like this.

  “Thank you so much, Lily,” Kimberly said to the maid with a smile. She turned towards her guests who were all hovering around their chairs. Kimberly clapped her hands together and the sound made Daphne flinch. “Well, now that we’re all here together, why don’t we have a seat?”

  Kimberly pulled out her chair and began to sit, her whole family following suit. Something glittered in the light at Daphne’s eyes, and she turned and noticed that Cy was wearing golden cuff links with bright, shining diamonds set in them.

  Holy fuck. Those cuff links probably cost more than my annual salary.

  “Oh, my goodness, Magnolia!” Kimberly squealed as Maggie assisted her two young daughters into the chairs at the table. “I can’t believe how big they’ve gotten.”

  “Right?” Maggie asked, looking over at their mother with a soft smile, before looking back at her daughters, her smile brightening into one of a proud mother.

  Kimberly looked over at Daphne and smiled. “I’m so glad you could make it, Daphne,” she said, her chin in her hands. She wore the same smile that she had while looking at Maggie’s daughters.

  Daphne searched her mother’s face closely for cues of her true mood. Surely she’s disappointed that I didn’t come dressed appropriately for her dinner party. Her mother’s face betrayed nothing.

  “I’m glad to be here,” Daphne lied.

  Kimberly glanced over at the woman next to Cy. “Victoria, I am so glad that you were able to join for dinner tonight before you had to fly back. I’m so glad you’re getting to meet the rest of the family.”

  Victoria appeared to try to be smiling, but her heavily botoxed face made it look more like a grimace than a smile. “Thank you so much for having me, Mrs. Woods,” the woman replied.

  The room fell into an awkward silence as Kimberly looked around, studying each of their faces closely. She kept the same serene, happy smile on her face the entire time. “I’m so thrilled to have you all with me today,” she finally said, before making a gesture at the maid. The maid nodded and turned to go to the kitchen. A few brief moments later, she came out carrying a gorgeous metal plate, positively heaping with food, and put it down in front of Viola. She then turned and went back to the kitchen for the next plate.

  Is my mother serious right now? She’s going to make the maid carry out all of our plates individually? Daphne did a quick headcount. There were nine people, plus the two children.

  Such an obnoxious display of wealth and power is so unnecessary and so like my mother. Daphne felt her stomach lurch. Of course she’s spending boat loads of money now that my father is gone. She just couldn’t let him profit off the money he invested into her, could she?

  Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

  She looked up at her mother and had to hold back a sneer. I’d bet that this is the kind of lifestyle she’s been hoping to live all this time. She has always thought that she deserved the best, even when she couldn’t afford it.

  “For the first time in two years,” Kimberly said as the maid continued to bring out the plates of food, “Our whole family is gathered together again.”

  Daphne knew that even though her mother did not look at her directly, that this comment was a subtle dig at her, as Daphne, herself, was the sole reason her mother hadn’t had the whole family together in two years.

  “As Lily is bringing us all our food, I would love it if we could go around the table and all say something about why we are grateful about being a part of the Woods family. Partners are optional,” she said with a swish of her hand. She turned to look at Daphne. “Why don’t you go first?” she asked.

  Daphne had to hold back a cringe. Are you serious?

  She started wringing her hands underneath the table, and squirming in her seat. “You’re really putting me on the spot, Mom,” she said with a half smile. “I don’t really have anything to say off the top of my head…”

  Daphne turned to look at Ollie, who just raised his eyebrows at her. He was going to think while I talked. She recognized his expression, one that he had given her many times over the years.

  “That’s alright,” Kimberly said, calling Daphne’s attention back to her. “We can wait while you think.”

  Daphne’s stomach did flip flops. That’s a terrible idea. She watched as the maid put a small heaping silver plate in front of one of Maggie’s kids. That means everyone is going to be waiting to eat while I come up with something.

  The warm scents of the food on the plate in front of her were beginning to waft up into her nose. Her stomach growled impatiently. How can anyone wait with such deliciousness sitting right in front of them? She could feel her mouth salivating.

  Daphne looked back up at her mother, who smiled, seemingly kindly, at her. Nonetheless, Daphne could feel the tension in the air.

  I don’t know why I ever thought coming back into the family fold would be a good idea. I think it’s probably one of the dumbest ideas I’ve ever had.

  “Um, well, I guess…” Daphne said, still trying to come up with something on the fly. “I like knowing the meaning behind flowers,” she said finally.

  It was a weak reason to love being a part of her family, and Daphne knew it. Nothing better comes to mind. For the most part, I hate being a part of this family.

  Daphne half expected her mother to tell her to find a different reason, as she would have in the past. Thankfully, for Daphne, however, her mother seemed to be in a good mood and just smiled and nodded at her.

  “Oliver?” Kimberly prompted Daphne’s younger brother sitting on her right.

  I gave him and everyone else plenty of time to think. Hopefully the rest of this goes fairly quickly because of it. Her mouth was watering even more from the aromatic scents that were coming from the plate in front of her.

  “For me,” Ollie started. He tapped his chin. “I’m really grateful for all of the older siblings I have.” He smiled at Daphne.

  Ugh he knows I barely escaped a bullet for him. At least I got some credit this time.

  “Alexa?” Kimberly prompted.

  “I’ll skip,” Alexa said in her sweet voice. “I know that Ollie and I have been together for some time now, but I’m still getting to know everyone, so I’m not sure of what all there is to be grateful for.” She smiled warmly at Kimberly.

  A bold answer, considering they have been together about six years.

  “No problem,” Kimberly replied. “Viola?”

  Viola was wringing her own hands on top of the table, her face nervous. “I’m, um.” She bit down on her bottom lip.

  And Mother says she’s perfectly fine and happy. How ridiculous.

  “I’m g-grateful for all the support this f-family gives me,” she said.

  I suppose there are a couple of brave souls at the table tonight. Daphne glanced at her mother. Her mother did not seem to care that the comment that came out of her youngest daughter’s mouth was probably meant for Maggie. Kimberly still seemed to be in a perfectly happy mood.

  “The girls?” Maggie asked, looking over at their mother. “Do you want them to answer?”

  “They’re far too young to understand what gratitude means, or what it means for them to be a part of the Woods family,” Kimberly replied dismissing Maggie’s concerned look with her hand. “You’re up next, Magnolia,” she said.

  “Right then,” Maggie said, her face relieved. “So, I’m grateful for this family for having so many wonderful siblings.” She looked around the table at everyone. “You and Dad did great, Mom,” she added, looking at Kimberly.

  Kimberly’s face wavered in its warm smile for only a moment, but she quickly transitioned back to it. “What about you, Michael?” she asked.

  “I’m grateful that this family gave me Maggie and the girls,” he said, looking at his wife with affection.

  Though Daphne felt a twinge of jealousy that she didn’t have anyone to say such a thing to her, she was simultaneously feeling her heart warmed at the affection in Maggie’s relationship.

  “What about you, Victoria?” Kimberly asked. “I know you and my son haven’t been together all that long, but do you have anything you’d like to share?”

  Victoria looked like she was trying to smile awkwardly, as it was clear Kimberly was putting her on the spot. “I, um, will pass,” she said, her face staying passive.

  Kimberly nodded. “Alright then, last, but most certainly not least, Cypress. Why are you grateful for being in the Woods family?”

  “I’m grateful for the partnerships that can come from this family,” Cy replied, grinning at their mother.

  Kimberly barked out a laugh. “Cypress, surely you’re not trying to steal my thunder right now, are you?”

  Daphne’s heart dropped in her chest. Is Mother about to have a meltdown in front of the whole family? She wrung her hands in her lap.

  She looked back up at her mother, and felt her eyebrows raise at the amused look on her mother’s face.

  Some of the tension that had built after Cy’s comment released, causing Daphne’s stomach to drop. If she had said that comment to anyone by Cy…or if she had been in a worse mood…

  Daphne let out a breath she didn’t even know she had been holding. She met Maggie’s eyes across the table, and saw that she was doing the same.

  “I’m not,” Cy replied, still smiling at Kimberly. “I’m just very excited about our business venture together.”

  Business venture? What does Mother have Cy tangled up in now? Her stomach twisted around inside of her. Why am I not surprised that she pulled him into something? They’ve always had such an odd relationship.

  She took a quick peek at the other people sitting around the table. Regardless, I can’t help but feel that this whole family dinner thing was a ploy for her and Cy to put on a show without telling the rest of us.

  Daphne looked back over at her oldest sibling. There’s no doubt in my mind that Cy has always been her favorite child, though. They were always cooking up things together in the past, too. I’ve never understood it… She studied Cy’s face closely. I don’t understand why anyone would want to be close with someone who can treat people as badly as our mother can.

  Kimberly laughed at Cy, and pinched his cheek. It seemed as if she tugged a bit harder than she might have if he hadn’t “stolen her thunder,” as Daphne saw Cy wince a little. She couldn’t help but cringe at the interaction. How can he handle being treated like a child when he’s a full grown adult?

  “Well, as for me,” Kimberly said, turning away from Cy. “I’m grateful for all of my children, regardless of what they bring to the table, but on this particular evening, I am feeling especially grateful to Cypress, who has helped me so that I could create the Kimberly Woods foundation.” She grinned brightly at Cy. “I am hoping to do lots of outreach and bring gardening classes to our community, as well as investing in the community itself by bringing additional green spaces and community gardening efforts to our area.” She grinned even wider, somehow. “We had the official ribbon cutting ceremony earlier today. It will be aired on national television tomorrow.”

  Daphne closed her eyes, her body already tensing up at the thought of what Monday might have in store for her at work. As if I could dread going into work any more than I already did.

  “I’m very much looking forward to this next chapter in my life, and I’m exceptionally grateful at the wonderful family I have to celebrate with tonight!” She grabbed her glass in front of her that was sloshing it was so full of wine. “I would love to share a toast with you all,” she said.

  Daphne, and the others around her raised their glasses as well.

  “To the Kimberly Woods foundation!” her mother cheered.

  “To the Kimberly Woods foundation,” everyone chanted back, before drinking.

  The alcohol burned on its way down Daphne’s throat, and in Daphne’s stomach. Coming back to this world was definitely a mistake.