I just… believed what she told me.”
I exhaled slowly.
“Want to mess with Vivi?”
“We go back. All three of us.
Eat the cake. Smile. Act like her plan worked — but not the way she hoped.”
Esha raised a brow.
“I’m in!”
I smiled. “Let’s make her regret ever hitting record.”
Austin took my hand. “Now you’re speaking my language.”
Fifteen minutes later, we walked back into the party — Austin holding my hand, Esha beside us like the world’s most awkward flower girl.
Vivi’s fork froze mid-air.
“Oh, we talked,” I said cheerfully.
“Turns out Esha’s staying with us for a bit. She’s amazing. We’ve all bonded.”
Austin added, “We realized opening up our marriage emotionally could actually strengthen it.
Thanks for inspiring us, Mom.”
Vivi stared, her lips twitching like a glitching computer.
“I only sent that old tape to heat things up. Not to… turn it into a polyamory cult.”
I raised an eyebrow.
“That old tape, by the way, wasn’t yours to send.”
Vivi looked between us.
I smiled sweetly.
“Oh, we have plenty of spark. Especially now that we know how much effort you’re putting into keeping us together.”
Then I handed her a plate.
