The breakfast table was unusually quiet.
Everyone ate in near silence, the tension lingering in the air like an unspoken storm.
Cielo and Romos had joined them, and Ceres couldn't help but smile slightly as she noticed how well her mother had covered her swollen eyes with makeup. It was subtle, but effective... her mother looked as composed as ever, as if nothing had happened earlier.
Introductions had already been made, and they were all trying to start fresh.
But Ceres saw everything.
She noticed how Ciera kept stealing glances at Cielo, her expression torn... like there was something she desperately wanted to say but couldn't.
She also saw the flicker of envy and guilt in her aunt's eyes.
And then there was Narciso.
The way both of them looked at her mother… the way they carefully avoided speaking too much…
Ceres had an idea of what had happened twenty-three years ago.
Especially after realizing Nissan's exact age.
Twenty-three.
Narciso hadn't just cheated on Cielo with another woman.
He had betrayed her with her own younger sister.
They must have been very close for the betrayal to have cut so deep.
Ceres could only imagine the pain her mother must have gone through... the heartbreak, the humiliation, the loss. The agony of being betrayed by the two people who were supposed to love her the most.
It must have been so unbearable that she had left the place she grew up in and moved to a city where she knew nothing and no one.
And then, exhausted... both physically and emotionally... she must have broken down.
The pain was too much. The betrayal too deep.
So her mind did the only thing it could to survive.
It erased everything.
A defense mechanism. A survival instinct.
Forget... rather than go insane.
Meanwhile, Ciena barely looked up from her plate.
She hadn't met Cielo's or Romos's eyes even once.
If Ceres had to guess, she was probably praying for the ground to open up and swallow her whole.
But this was far from over.
Ceres wasn't done with Ciena.
Not yet.
She had fooled them for seven years, and Ceres would make sure she paid for it.
She would make sure Ciena felt shame so deep that it would take her a lifetime to recover from it.
And when that moment came?
Ceres would enjoy every second of it.
Still, she found herself momentarily distracted when she caught Nissan mimicking Zeus's movements... watching him closely as he prepared Ceres's plate.
She was copying how he spread butter on his bread, how he mixed certain dishes together before placing them neatly onto Ceres's plate.
And Zeus, as always, was attentive.
"Eat this, love," he said, placing the food in front of her with ease, already knowing what she would and wouldn't eat.
Ceres only smiled at her fiancé.
A few months ago, she would have rolled her eyes at him, annoyed at how ridiculously attentive he was.
Now?
She couldn't seem to refuse him anymore.
And she knew... even if she tried... Zeus wouldn't stop.
So really, she was saving them both time by just letting him do whatever he wanted.
Which, as much as she hated to admit it… she actually liked.
"Mommy, Daddy," she suddenly spoke, drawing both of their attention toward her.
"I invited them to stay here for the time being. At least until Mommy and Uncle's divorce is finalized. I hope you don't mind."
A brief moment of silence.
Romos and Cielo froze.
Earlier, in the overwhelming rush of emotions, they hadn't even thought about the fact that Cielo's marriage to Narciso was still legally valid.
And yet, their daughter had immediately thought of it.
"Sweetheart," Romos said after a beat, his voice filled with warmth and gratitude. "Of course not."
He turned to Narciso, his expression serious but not unkind.
"Thank you for doing this," he said.
Narciso was used to lowering his head in front of wealthy, powerful men. He had spent years working for them, nodding and obeying because he needed the job.
But Romos Monteverde was different.
Unlike the arrogant bosses he had dealt with in Escobares, Romos didn't carry himself with an air of superiority.
He was calm.
Fair.
Just.
And yet, despite that, Narciso still felt small.
Compared to a man like this, who had given his ex-wife a life she never could have had with him, Narciso couldn't even look him in the eye.
"This is something I should have done a long time ago. If I had known back then that Cielo had built a new life for herself, I wouldn't have hesitated," Narciso finally said. "Don't worry, Mr. Monteverde, whatever I need to do to make the divorce process as quick as possible, just tell me. I'll do it."
"Oh, please, call me Romos," Romos said with a warm, easygoing smile. "We are practically family."
"Daddy," Ceres called, once again pulling her father's attention toward her. "I also promised them that in case they want to start a new life here in the city, we will back them up."
The couple exchanged amused glances before smiling at their daughter.
"That's so thoughtful of you, sweetheart," Cielo said. But despite sitting right next to Ciena, she didn't spare her eldest daughter a single glance. It was evident... Cielo still held deep resentment toward her for all the lies.
Romos reached for Ceres's hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze before turning to Narciso.
"Whatever Ceres has promised you, don't hesitate to accept it," he said. "Consider it as something I promised as well."
"Daddy!" Ceres gasped in exaggerated shock, making everyone turn their attention to her. "Don't say that! What if I promised them that you'd give them all your money?"
Romos blinked, momentarily stunned. Then, after a brief pause, he smiled.
"Well… then I suppose there's nothing I can do about it," he said with mock seriousness. "I'd have to give them all my money, then."
He paused again, pretending to think.
"But that would also mean you won't be able to go shopping anymore. Oh no!" He gasped. "What will we do?"
Ceres let out a dramatic gasp.
"Oh my gosh! Good thing I came prepared!" she declared. Then, with a grand gesture, she lifted both hands toward Zeus, as if presenting him to a crowd.
Zeus shook his head in amusement.
"And here I thought you were keeping me around for my body," he teased, a playful smirk forming on his lips.
Ceres's cheeks immediately turned pink.
"Oh my gosh! Zeus Falcon!" she scolded, smacking his arm. "Can you stop being horny for one second?"
Zeus simply chuckled, obviously entertained.
"And for your information," Ceres continued, flipping her hair, "I like your money more than your body. I'm just putting up with the rest of you."
She shot him an exaggerated eyeroll, while Zeus grinned, clearly unfazed.
"Really?" He leaned in, voice dropping slightly. "But your moans... "
Before he could finish his sentence, Ceres shoved a piece of bread into his mouth.
"Eat that," she ordered, narrowing her eyes at him.
Romos and Cielo burst into laughter, while Nissan, Ciera, and Narciso couldn't help but smile at their banter. Meanwhile, Ciena sat stiffly, looking as if she didn't exist at the table.
"Okay, okay! That's enough," Romos finally intervened, still chuckling. "Zeus, you shouldn't be teasing her like that. You're the one who's going to suffer when my princess throws a tantrum."
"Daddy!" Ceres whined, pouting. "I don't even know if you're on my side or his! And honestly, I've been noticing something for a while now... you and Zeus have been planning things behind my back way too many times. Are you trying to give me away?"
Romos and Zeus both laughed, but before Romos could answer, a maid quietly approached the table.
"Mr. Monteverde," the maid announced. "The Clarks are here to see you."
At that, Ciena visibly tensed. She glanced at the maid, then at Ceres.
Ceres, of course, smirked.
"Tell them to join us for breakfast," she instructed smoothly, beating Romos to it. Though surprised, Romos nodded in agreement.
Ceres didn't miss how Ciena's complexion paled even further.
And judging by the way Nissan looked at her older sister, she had noticed it too.
Ceres merely smiled at Nissan, as if telling her to just watch.
"Romos," Rozel Clark greeted as he entered the dining room. "Oh, apologies for dropping by unannounced. I didn't know you had guests."
His gaze swept over the unfamiliar faces at the table.
Narciso, ever observant, immediately noticed the subtle look of disdain in Rozel's eyes as he assessed them. The way his lips twitched slightly downward, as if their mere presence in this lavish home was an offense.
Moments later, Mrs. Clark, Ryza, and finally Ryzel entered.
"It's okay, Rozel," Romos said as he patted the other man on the shoulder. "Join us."
At that moment, Ciena abruptly stood up, looking like she wanted to approach the Clarks.
But before she could take a step, both Rozel and his wife subtly gestured for her to stay put.
Ceres almost laughed.
Ciena really doesn't know when to stop embarrassing herself.
Unlike Ciena, the Clarks didn't hesitate to approach her instead.
Ceres stood up gracefully, offering them a polite smile.
"Good morning, Uncle, Aunty," she greeted, pulling them into a warm embrace, which they returned just as affectionately.
"You look absolutely radiant, sweetheart," Mrs. Clark praised.
"Well," she added, her eyes twinkling, "who wouldn't be glowing after such a beautiful and one-of-a-kind proposal?"
"Mommy, stop flattering her," Ryza groaned, crossing her arms as she leaned against a chair beside Zeus. It was still early, yet she already looked annoyed.
She had intended to sit on the other side of the table, but the moment she saw the Monteverde guests, her face twisted in displeasure at their clearly lower-class appearance.
"She just got lucky there was a meteor shower last night," Ryza scoffed. "That's the only reason it seemed special."
Ceres's lips curled into a smirk.
"Oh, she's right, Aunty," she said sweetly, sarcasm dripping from her tone. "Out of all the things Zeus could have done, what happened last night was so ordinary. Such a small thing."
She placed a hand on her hip, tilting her head slightly.
"I'm sure that when someone proposes to Ryza, it'll be even more extravagant."
Then she turned to Ryza with a mocking smile.
"Maybe not just a meteor shower," she mused. "Maybe the end of the world itself."
"You... !"
"Stop."
Zeus's voice was firm as he cut her off, not even looking at Ryza.
"You started it," he said lazily. "And it's too early for this. Also, you know you won't win."
"Hey!" Ceres huffed, stepping closer and leaning against Zeus's chair with an exaggerated pout. "Let her fight me!"
She tilted her head toward him.
"Have you forgotten? You promised to hold my enemies' hands while I scratch their faces."
Zeus chuckled before... without hesitation... he grabbed both of Ryza's hands.
"Go, love," he said, actually cheering her on.
"Zeus! What the hell... let go of me!" Ryza shrieked, instantly panicking as she tried to pull her hands free.
"Here I come," Ceres teased playfully, cracking her knuckles for effect.
"Sweetheart," Romos suddenly interrupted, amusement dancing in his eyes. "Enough playing. We're at the table."
Ceres exhaled dramatically, then turned to Ryza with a mock innocent expression.
"Who got lucky now?" she taunted.
Ryza yanked her hands away from Zeus, who finally let go, scowling furiously.
"You're both crazy!" she seethed, her voice rising slightly.
Ceres simply grinned.
"Really? You're only realizing that now?"