After eight that night, Océan and Ciel’s mother returned home, carrying a rge pizza box.

  “Pizza!”

  “Yes!”

  Océan and Ciel cheered together.

  Their mother—shoulder-length hair dyed a deep violet and curling loosely around her face—offered me a brief, polite smile.

  “Oh, hello.”

  The moment our eyes met, I felt it somewhere deep down—she didn’t like me.

  “I’m Avery, a cssmate of Océan’s. Thank you for having me,” I said, standing to introduce myself.

  The woman returned a practiced smile.

  “Océan sent me a message. You must be hungry. It’s just takeout, but I splurged a little since I knew you were coming. Do you like pizza?”

  “Yes, I do.”

  “Good.”

  She pced the pizza in the center of the table, setting down a bottle of wine and a bottle of Orangina, along with gsses and ptes. A te dinner for four began. At home, we always ate at six, so this felt unusually te. I wasn’t starving, thanks to earlier snacks, but the aroma of anchovy sauce and olives from the Proven?al-style pizza made my stomach rumble nonetheless.

  “I was starving—this looks amazing,” Océan said, grabbing a slice. Ciel followed suit, and after a gnce from Ciel, I picked up a slice myself.

  “It’s delicious.”

  “I’m gd,” their mother replied, not meeting my eyes. She uncorked the wine, poured herself a gss, and took a sip.

  “Océan, you’re dropping crumbs.”

  “It’s fine. I’ll pick them up ter.”

  As I listened to the twins chatting, I stole a gnce at their mother. She sipped her wine with an expression that suggested she was enjoying none of it.

  “So—you want to be an actress?”

  At first, I didn’t realize the question was directed at me. She hadn’t looked my way when she spoke.

  When her gaze finally nded on me, it was devoid of curiosity.

  “Yes… I suppose.”

  “I knew a woman who said the same thing. She looked a lot like you. In the end, she got pregnant before she had made it anywhere, and after giving birth, childcare swallowed her whole. It all ended halfway.”

  “I see.”

  That was all I could say. I lowered my eyes and continued eating. An olive rolled off onto my pte.

  She was mocking me. I could hear it in her tone—she was deliberately bringing up someone she had disliked, using me as a stand-in.

  “Mom, now’s not the time,” Ciel said gently, then looked at me.

  “Avery, let’s watch a movie together afterward. That’s okay, right?”

  “Of course,” their mother replied ftly. After finishing two slices and her gss of wine, she stood.

  “I’m going to shower and go to bed. Don’t stay up too te, you three.”

  “Okaaay.”

  Once she was gone, the evening truly began.

  “Oh, Avery—would you like to try the curry I made yesterday?” Ciel asked.

  I’d been craving something spicy, so it sounded like a gift from heaven.

  “I’d love to.”

  Smiling, Ciel stood to fetch it.

  “Ciel’s curry is incredible,” Océan added.

  Ciel reheated the curry and couscous from the fridge and set them before me.

  “It’s an autumn French curry—chicken, onions, and mushrooms sautéed with thyme and curry powder.”

  The mingling scent of spices and herbs made my mouth water. I scooped up a spoonful. The richness of the vegetables and the fragrance of the herbs filled my mouth.

  “It’s amazing!”

  It was more fragrant than any curry I had ever tasted—the gentle heat and the depth of fvor melted together, delighting every bite.

  “Really? I’m so gd. I’m happy you got to try it before Océan ate it all,” Ciel said, smiling with relief.