Page 183 of When Hearts Unravel

The ABCs are enjoying life in paradise. Don’t worry about us.

Unknown number

And don’t worry, no funny business with the photo this time. *smiley face*

ABCs? I frown, and then I huff out a laugh.

Ava. Bree. Cora. Ava must’ve gotten over Bree’s connections to the Caruso family.

They’re safe now.

Laughter reaches my ears and I slide my phone back into my pocket.

Dad, Ethan, and Charles are smiling as they walk over from the bar, holding trays of champagne and then hand them out to us. Everyone accepts a flute except Grace, who suddenly turns beet red in the face.

Taylor narrows her eyes. “Sis, you aren’t drinking.”

Grace shakes her head, her eyes downcast. I snap my gaze to Steven, finding the man biting back a smile before tipping the flute to his lips.

Olivia gasps, then squeals follow as excitement bubbles from the girls.

Lana elbows her way to stand in front of Grace and stares at her belly, then at her face. “Are you? Am I going to be an aunt again?”

Grace nods. “Yes! We’re three months along.”

“Oh my God, yay!” Lana hugs Grace, and everyone offers their congratulations.

I ask Steven, who looks completely smitten. “Boy or girl?”

He shrugs. “We don’t know. It doesn’t matter. He or she will be perfect.”

“All my grandchildren will be perfect,” Dad agrees.

“There’s a baby inside Auntie Grace?” Levi exclaims as he pokes Grace’s belly, and everyone laughs.

“Yes, sweetheart. You need to take care of him or her when he or she comes out, okay? You’re the oldest cousin.” Belle ruffles his hair and Levi puffs his little chest out, clearly eager to take on the role.

“And while we’re at it, good news and all, Tay and I have something to share too,” Charles murmurs as he tucks Taylor against him.

My goth ballerina half sister flushes, and it’s then I notice her nose piercing—a symbol of her mood as she says—is a red heart today.

“You tell them or me?” Charles bops her nose, and she mock scowls before grinning.

Huffing out a sigh, she faces us and holds up her left hand. “Fuckers, I’m now Mrs. Vaughn.”

More shrieks and whistles erupt as they tell us how they did away with all the pomp and circumstance and eloped at city hall last week.

“Congratulations.” Ryland clasps Charles’s shoulder. “You’re doing a reception, right?”

“Maybe. Depends on what Tay wants.”

“Still debating. I might make you all go to a punk rock concert with me.” Tay grins and we groan.

RIP to my eardrums.

Then I notice a flash of orange next to me. Alexis is rocking on her feet, clearly excited about something.

She whispers to Millie, “Can I tell them? Please? Please?”