Page 189 of The Villainess Chose Naps Over Death Flags

Jasper was watching Carol with an expression she couldn't quite read. "You really are different," he said finally. "Not just happy—different. Like a different person entirely."

Carol's heart skipped. "What do you mean?"

“When Bea and I visited you two months ago, you were so changed. It was like the sister I knew had been replaced by someone else."

Carol held very still.

"Someone better," Jasper continued, and his expression softened into a genuine smile. "Someone who's actually happy. Who laughs and jokes and cares about people. I don't know what happened, Caroline, but whatever it was... I'm glad for it."

"Me too," Beatrice added. "The old Caroline would never have admitted she was wrong about Percival. Would never have embraced her marriage. Would never look this content."

Carol felt tears threatening. "I just... I realized what really mattered. And it wasn't what I thought it was."

"Well, I'm grateful," her father said. "Seeing you like this—truly happy with your husband, excited about your child—it's more than we could have hoped for."

Her mother pulled Carol into another hug. "We love you so much, darling. All we've ever wanted is for you to be happy."

"I am," Carol whispered. "I really, truly am."

They stood like that for a moment—family, together, all the old tensions and worries finally easing.

When they separated, Beatrice was wiping her eyes. "Stop making me cry! I'll ruin my cosmetics!"

"Too late," Jasper said, pointing at her smudged kohl.

"Oh, hush," Beatrice said, but she was laughing.

Carol was about to respond when her gaze drifted across the ballroom and landed on a familiar figure.

Honey blonde hair arranged in perfect curls. A pale pink gown that emphasized her delicate beauty. An innocent, sweet expression as she spoke with a group of ladies.

Lucinda Harcourt.

Carol's smile faded slightly.

"Oh," she said. "I see our cousin. I want to speak with her for a bit."

Her mother followed her gaze. "Lucinda? I didn't realize she'd be here."

"She's always at these events," Beatrice said with a slight eye roll. "Always playing the perfect lady."

"I'll just be a moment," Carol said, already stepping away from her family.

"Do you want us to come with you?" Jasper offered.

"No, it's fine," Carol said. "I won't be long."

She moved through the crowd, her eyes never leaving Lucinda's form.

Time for a conversation that was five months overdue.

Chapter 41

The Last Olive Branch

Carol moved through the ballroom with practiced grace, her hand resting lightly on her belly as she navigated between clusters of nobles.

Lucinda stood in a circle of young ladies near one of the tall windows, laughing at something one of them had said. She looked perfect—honey blonde curls arranged beautifully, her pale pink gown making her seem delicate and sweet, her expression open and friendly.