They arrived at five o’clock.
Vanessa wore a beige dress and dark sunglasses, which she only took off when she entered. She smiled that signature smile—fake, controlled, sharp.
« Mrs. Stella, your house looks so beautiful, » she said, looking around as if she’d never been there before. « It has a very traditional charm. »
Traditional. Another elegant way to say « old. »
We were sitting in the living room. Ryan looked nervous and anxious and avoided my gaze. Vanessa, on the other hand, seemed relaxed and in control.
“Mom,” Ryan finally said, “we have great news.”
His eyes sparkled, but I couldn’t tell if it was joy or something else.
Vanessa is pregnant. You’re going to be a grandmother.
The room tilted.
Grandmother.
Grandson. Continuation of George. Continuation of us.
Against my will, tears welled up in my eyes. I stood up to hug Ryan, but Vanessa stepped between us and formally extended her hand, as if sealing an agreement.
« Thank you, Mrs. Stella, » she said. « We’re very excited. »
I sat back down, wiped my face, and tried to compose myself.
« But that’s not all, » Vanessa added, crossing her legs with practiced elegance. « We also want to share our future plans. Ryan and I have been thinking about the kind of life we want for our child. »
And that was it. I felt it even before she said it: the shift in the air, the way Ryan stared at the ground like a guilty man.
« The apartment is too small to raise a child in, » Vanessa continued. « We need space. A garden. A place where he can grow up safe and happy. »
“You’re right,” I said, still not seeing the knife.
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