Dinner with the Enemy
Amber Ann was already at her parents' house when Jessica arrived.
And this had Jessica livid. She sat in her car for a long moment working to calm down - but she couldn't. Her mind whirled and her stomach clinched. She calmed herself with deep cleansing breaths.
She had to ensure a healthy birth or everything would be ruined.
Jessica climbed out of her new sporty Lexus, fuming at the sight of Amber's car. She had wanted to arrive first and felt she had been robbed of an opportunity to make an entrance. She stomped up to the front door, nearly running over the family butler. Without a word of apology, she swept into the main living room.
Her eyes scanned the room and hovered over Amber. Her head pulsed with jealousy as she examined her sister's clothes. Previously, Amber Ann was always dressed in plain business suits—tailor-made, but in neutral colors and boring cuts.
Now, she was wearing clothing that hugged her curves and made her eyes and hair look radiant. Amber Ann was stunning.
She stood in a small niche, speaking to their brother Samuel. Her hair hung loose to her shoulders, and her emerald-green, off-the-shoulder slip dress clung to her like a soft, silken second skin. A dazzling teardrop ruby hung just above her breast. She spoke to Samuel with a radiant smile and a straight back. Amber Ann was not only stunning; she was confident and vibrant. She was happy.
Rage boiled within Jessica. She couldn't have Amber feeling confident; she might convince Dan to go back to her. Jessica wouldn't allow that. If she couldn't have him, Amber Ann couldn't have him either.
She collected herself internally, put on a smile, and stepped into the room.
"Oh, my darling! You are here! Come talk to your mother. Your brothers and sisters never have time for me." Jessica's smile broadened as she moved toward her mother. She reached into her bag, her phone already in hand.
"I had my first doctor's appointment and got an ultrasound," she said. It sounded like an announcement for the entire room, yet she looked around in mild shock when the room went quiet. She handed the phone to her mother - a twinkle of excitement lighting her eyes.
"I will print them out and make announcement cards. It won't be yours or Daddy's first grandchild, but it will be Dan's parents' first." She ended on a sigh, a hand to her belly and her gaze fixed on Amber Ann.
"I am so happy for you, darling. Look dear, you can barely see them." Her mother stopped and frowned. Jessica's smile grew wider, her eyes never leaving Amber.
Amber's mouth went dry as she looked into her sister's eyes. She managed to keep the smile on her face, but her stomach was boiling.
"You're having twins, darling? Dear, Jessica is having twins!" Their mother sprang from her seat to hug Jessica. The rest of the room froze, and all eyes slid to Amber.
Jessica kept her eyes locked on Amber's, even as their mother held her in a tight embrace. Virginia deliberately stepped between them and whispered to Amber, "Don't worry about her, Am. You know this is just her being the best bitch she can be."
Amber smiled and internally thanked her sister. Samuel wrapped an arm around her and squeezed her shoulder. Amber smiled at them both and stepped toward Jessica.
She opened her arms to her older sister. "Congratulations, Jessica. I can't wait to buy things for them. What are you hoping for?"
Jessica stood stunned for a breath too long. Their mother spoke first, trying to draw attention away from the pause. "Yes, darling, what are you hoping for? Your brothers all have boys. I am hoping for a girl myself."
Amber smiled coolly and walked to their father. He put an arm around his favorite child's waist and squeezed. She smiled down at him, but he knew her better than most; he saw the pain in the depths of her eyes. He looked back at Jessica, whose eyes were still fixed on Amber. It was proving to be an interesting dinner.
Dinner started without any hiccups and with much civility. The conversation was lively and the food was good. Then, it happened.
Jessica drank deeply from her lemonade and looked at Amber, but addressed the room in general. "I was thinking that if it was a girl, I would name her Tiffany."
The entire room froze. Damon Jr.'s wife let out a small gasp. Virginia gripped her knife a bit too tightly as she leaned forward to speak. But it was their mother who spoke first, further shocking the room.
Angelica Lance looked at her oldest daughter. "Jessica, don't."
Jessica's smile fell instantly. She blinked several times. Her mother had spoken softly but with a deadly edge that the entire table heard.
Jessica didn't say another word and ate in relative silence. As she ate, her rage grew. She would not stop until she had Amber buried in a hole and miserable.