Jayden set the glass down harder than necessary.

The sharp clink cut through the chatter like a warning signal, making every head turn his way. Water sloshed slightly over the rim, leaving a small dark circle on the polished wood table.

He exhaled slowly, his chest rising and falling in a deliberate rhythm as he steadied himself, then lifted his gaze to scan the table-his eyes meeting each face in turn, calm but unyielding.

"Rest assured," he said, his voice calm but carrying weight that made even Rosa pause. "I can provide for Jane. We have everything we need."

A beat of silence stretched across the table-then Rosa let out a sharp scoff, leaning back in her chair as she crossed her arms over her chest.

"Pfft. Love swindlers are everywhere these days," she muttered, rolling her eyes. "They say all the right things until they've drained you dry."

Her eyes slid toward Jane, her expression hard with judgment.

"You should heed my advice, mija. I've been around longer than you have-I know how these things go."

Jane inhaled slowly, her nostrils flaring slightly as she forced her temper down before responding. She lifted her head, her spine straightening as she met her aunt's gaze directly-no longer willing to back down.

"I trust Jayden," she said firmly, her voice clear and unwavering. "He's not that type. He's honest, and he cares about me-more than anyone else in this room seems to."

Jenny smirked, her lips curling with quiet mockery as she twirled a strand of hair around her finger. She'd been waiting for this moment all night.

Jane didn't look at her. She kept her eyes fixed on her aunt, refusing to give Jenny the satisfaction of a reaction.

"Please refrain from speculating about him," she added, her tone sharper now, cutting through the room like glass. "He's my husband, and I won't have people talking about him like he's some kind of criminal."

A brief silence followed until her grandmother cleared her throat, the sound loud and deliberate in the quiet room. She tapped her fork against her plate-once, twice-before speaking.

"Jane is right," she said, waving a hand dismissively as she looked around the table. "We're here for dinner, not arguments. Let them bring the food. All this talking is making me hungry."

But Rosa wasn't done. She leaned forward again, her eyes glinting with determination as she fixed her gaze on Jayden.

"Oh no," she said, straightening in her seat, her voice dripping with calculation. "We shouldn't eat homemade food tonight. That's too casual for such an important occasion."

Her eyes locked onto Jayden, and Jane could see exactly what she was doing-trying to force him into a corner, to make him look foolish in front of everyone.

"Since it's his first time dining with us," she continued, a faint smile tugging at the corners of her lips, "he should order something... luxurious. Something befitting Jane's status as a captain."

The smile widened slightly.

"I bet he hasn't even seen half the things on a proper menu. Not with the kind of life he's been leading."

The jab landed cleanly. Jane's fingers curled against the tablecloth, her nails digging into her palm hard enough to leave marks. She could feel her temper rising again-hot and sharp in her chest.

Before she could speak-

Her mother stepped in, reaching across the table to place a hand on Jane's arm. "Didn't Jenny arrange everything for tonight?" she said quickly, her tone gentle but deliberate, clearly trying to change the subject and shield Jayden from further attacks. "Let her handle the ordering. She knows the place better than anyone here."

A quiet attempt to de-escalate, to give Jayden an out.

The grandmother let out a soft, knowing "tch," shaking her head slightly as she picked up her glass of water. She could see through the attempt, but she said nothing-choosing to let it pass.

Jenny, however, looked pleased. She sat up straight, puffing out her chest slightly as she picked up her phone. Her mother watched her with pride, practically glowing as she patted her daughter's shoulder.

"Of course," Jenny said smoothly, flipping through the pages with practiced ease. "I know exactly what's good here."

Then-

"Hey, Jane," Jenny said casually, glancing up from the menu with a sweet smile that didn't reach her eyes.

"Need help finding your husband a job? I know how busy you are with your flights."

The words hung in the air, heavy and loaded with mockery.

Jane turned to look at her-silent, unblinking, her face a mask of calm despite the anger boiling just below the surface.

Jenny leaned back slightly, enjoying the attention as she twirled her hair again.

"Reuben mentioned," she continued, her voice light and airy as if she'd just offered genuine help, "that the West terminal could use a security guard. It's not much, but it's steady work. I could even pull some strings to get him hired without going through the usual process."

She laughed lightly, a tinkling sound that made Jane's jaw clench.

Rosa nodded approvingly, beaming at her daughter. "That's right, Jane. Listen to Jenny. We're family-we should support each other, even when some people make... questionable choices."

Mockery dressed as kindness. The worst kind of cruelty.

Jane's chair scraped against the floor as she started to rise-ready to end this dinner, to take Jayden and leave, to never speak to her aunt or cousin again.

But Jayden's hand closed gently around hers.

Firm.

Steady.

His fingers wrapped around hers, warm and reassuring, grounding her in the moment.

She paused, looking down at their joined hands-then up at him, her eyes wide with surprise.

Jayden didn't look at her. His gaze remained fixed on Jenny, his expression calm but sharp, like a pilot assessing a storm ahead.

Then-

"I heard," he said slowly, his tone even and measured, "that at Aurelia Airline, even security positions require rigorous screening. Background checks, psychological evaluations, verification of prior experience."

The table quieted. Even Jenny stopped smiling, her fingers tightening around the menu as she stared at him.

"No fixed arrangements," he added, his voice carrying just enough to reach every corner of the room. "Not for any position. The company has standards to maintain-especially when it comes to who they trust with passenger safety."

Jenny's smile faltered-just slightly. Her face flushed a faint pink, and she looked away from his gaze, focusing on the menu as if it held the answers to getting her out of this conversation.

Her fingers tightened around the menu until her knuckles turned white.

Jayden continued, calm and composed as if he were simply discussing flight schedules:

"So I'm curious... how exactly were you planning to 'pull strings'? Bypass the screening process? Override the hiring committee's decisions?"

A subtle shift in the air. The warmth of the room felt suddenly cooler, more tense.

For the first time that night-

Jenny looked... uncomfortable. She shifted in her seat, clearing her throat as she tried to find her voice.

⸻

The air tightened like a drawn bowstring. Every breath in the room seemed to come harder, heavier.

Jenny's confidence flickered for just a second-her eyes darting away from Jane's steady gaze-but she recovered quickly, lifting her chin with practiced arrogance.

"My boyfriend's father is an Aurelia Airlines shareholder," she said, her tone sharp with pride as she looked directly at Jane, as if flaunting the connection like a trophy. "Arranging a lowly security guard position is nothing-child's play, really."

Her mother beamed immediately, reaching across the table to squeeze Jenny's hand. "Our Jenny found such a catch," Rosa added, nodding approvingly as she glanced around the table for admiration. "Handsome, rich-and useful to the family. That's how you pick a partner."

The grandmother leaned forward slightly, her wrinkled hands folded on the table as she looked at Jane with what might have been concern-if it weren't so heavily laced with judgment. "Jane," she began, "now that you're an airline captain-surely you have some influence you could use for the family..."

"Jane," another voice cut in, sharp and eager.

All heads turned to Lucia-Jane's mother's younger sister-who was leaning forward in her chair, her eyes bright with expectation. She wore a cheap polyester dress that wrinkled as she moved, and her nails were chipped despite her attempts to paint them neatly.

"My son has always dreamed of being a flight attendant," she said, as if this were news to everyone. "Now that you're a captain, you can arrange that for him, right? Just pull a few strings-tell them he's your cousin. They'll hire him on the spot."

Jane exhaled slowly, her fingers resting on the edge of the table as she kept her voice steady. She'd been through this conversation before-too many times.

"Flight attendants go through strict recruitment and training," she replied patiently. "It's not just about serving food-it's about passenger safety, emergency procedures, medical training. I can recommend a good training program for him-help him prepare for the entrance exams-"

Lucia waved her off with a dismissive flick of her hand, her face hardening with irritation.

"No, no," she said, cutting Jane off. "Why go through all that hassle? Can't you just hire him directly? He's a quick learner-he can learn on the job. How hard can it be?"

A ripple of discomfort passed through the table.

Jane didn't answer immediately. She just looked at Lucia, her expression calm but her eyes growing colder by the second.

Jenny's lips curled into a satisfied smile. She knew. Jane wouldn't do it-she'd never compromise safety standards for anyone.

"There's nothing difficult about being a flight attendant," Lucia continued casually, as if she were discussing grocery shopping. "You just serve meals, hand out snacks, smile at passengers... it's simple work. Anyone can do it."

Still-

Jane said nothing. Her hands were folded in her lap now, her knuckles white with restraint.

Her silence spoke louder than any refusal ever could.

"Aunt," Jenny chimed in sweetly, glancing at Lucia with faux sympathy, "I think Jane just doesn't want to help. She's too busy with her important captain duties to worry about family."

She flicked her fingers dismissively in Jane's direction, her nails clicking against the glass cups as she did so.

"Don't worry-I'll ask my boyfriend instead. His father can get your son hired without any of that tedious training."

Lucia's face lit up instantly, her eyes shining with gratitude as she reached across the table to pat Jenny's arm. "Jenny, you're so thoughtful," she said warmly. "Always putting family first. That's what matters."

Rosa nodded, smiling proudly as she looked at her daughter-then her gaze shifted to Jane, her expression hard with disapproval.

"Unlike some ungrateful wretch," Lucia added, her tone turning sharp as she looked at Jane-then shifted her gaze to Jane's mother, who had gone very still.

"Back then, when you were young and foolish," Lucia continued coldly, leaning forward as if sharing a secret, "she was abandoned by a man. Left pregnant and alone. We all had to come together to help raise her child-scraping together money for diapers, for formula, for school fees."

Her lips curled slightly into a sneer.

"And now that her daughter is successful... she looks down on us. Thinks she's too good to help her own family."

That was it.

The final straw.

Jane's mother's hands trembled as she gripped her fork, her knuckles white against the silver. She'd been quiet all night, taking the insults and the judgment-but this was too much.

"I begged you for help," she said suddenly, her voice shaking but rising, cutting through the room like a whip. "When Jane was born premature, when I had to take her to the hospital every week, when I lost my job because I couldn't work the long hours-"

Rosa rolled her eyes, leaning back in her chair as she muttered something about "drama."

But Jane's mother didn't stop. Tears spilled down her cheeks.

"You told me I deserved it," she continued, her voice breaking with emotion. "That I should suffer... that I should starve on the street for 'sleeping around'! You wouldn't even let me borrow your car to take Jane to the emergency room-you said I'd 'ruin the upholstery'!"

Her voice cracked completely, and she buried her face in her hands, shoulders shaking with sobs.

"And now you call my daughter ungrateful?"

"Mom..." Jane said softly, reaching out and placing a steady hand on her back. She could feel the tremble beneath her palm, could feel the years of pain and resentment pouring out in those tears.

Then-

Jane inhaled.

Slowly.

Deliberately.

The sound was quiet but deliberate, filling the silence left by her mother's sobs. She turned to face the table, her expression no longer controlled or restrained-but cold as ice, hard as steel.

"This dinner," she said, her voice low and even, each word measured and precise, "is clearly not meant for us. It's meant to judge us, to belittle us, to make us feel small so you can feel better about yourselves."

A pause. The room was so quiet you could hear the ticking of the clock on the wall.

"Then there's no reason for us to stay."

"What do you mean by that?" Lucia snapped, her tone rising as she stood up abruptly, her chair scraping against the floor. "We only asked for a small favor! You refused-that's fine. But can't we comment on it? Isn't family allowed to have opinions?"

Jenny lowered her head, laughing quietly into her hand-enjoying the chaos she'd helped create.

Jayden's jaw tightened, his hand closing into a fist on his thigh. He'd had enough of their cruelty, enough of them hurting Jane and her mother.

Lucia continued, relentless as a storm.

"Instead of helping your family," she said, pointing an accusing finger at Jane, "you're busy chasing men-marrying some unemployed nobody just to have someone on your arm!"

Something in the air snapped.

Jane inhaled sharply, her eyes flashing with a fire that made even Lucia step back slightly.

"The only courtesy we asked for," she said, her voice now edged with steel, cutting through the room like a blade, "was to have a peaceful dinner. To be treated like family, not like charity cases or punchlines."

Her gaze swept across the table-from her aunt's shocked face to Jenny's smug smile to her grandmother's disappointed expression.

"But clearly, even that is too much for you people."

Then-

She pushed her chair back and stood fully. The movement was sudden, sharp, making several people jump.

Her hand brushed the edge of the table as she stood-knocking over a ceramic coffee cup that had been sitting near her elbow.

Crash.

Porcelain shattered against the tile floor, pieces scattering across the room like broken teeth. Dark coffee spread in a sticky pool, seeping into the grout lines.

The sound echoed through the silent room like a gunshot.

Rosa flinched, her hand flying to her chest.

The room froze. Every eye was on Jane-on the fierce set of her jaw, the fire in her eyes, the way she stood tall despite her small frame.

Jayden turned to look at her-his eyes widened slightly with surprise.

He had never seen her like this before.

Not controlled.

Not restrained.

But fierce.

Unyielding.

And done holding back.

⸻

Jane stopped.

Mid-step. Her hand was already on the doorknob, her fingers wrapped around the cool metal-but something made her pause. The weight of their words hung heavy in the air, and she couldn't leave without one final word.

Her grip on her mother's hand tightened-firm, reassuring-then she turned back.

Slowly. Her movements deliberate, each step measured as she faced the table once more. The fire in her eyes hadn't faded, but now it was focused, controlled.

"And none of you will eat either," she said, her voice cutting through the room like a blade, sharp and clean. "This food was made with love-love you don't deserve."

She gestured to the spread on the table-her mother's signature chicken curry, homemade roti, fresh chutneys, all carefully prepared over hours.

The table fell silent. Even Lucia, who'd been so loud moments before, shrank back in her chair.

"Aunt," she added, her eyes locking onto Lucia with an intensity that made the older woman squirm.

Lucia stiffened under that gaze, her earlier boldness evaporating like mist in the sun. "You... you're free to say anything you like," she stammered, forcing a nervous laugh as she looked away. "But we are not free to listen."

Jane tilted her head slightly, her expression calm-but dangerous, like a pilot assessing a runway with hidden hazards.

"Right?" she asked, her tone carrying an edge that left no room for argument.

Lucia nodded quickly, her eyes darting toward the door. "Yes... yes. Of course."

Jane held her gaze for a second longer-making sure the message was clear-then turned away. Her hand found the doorknob again, turning it smoothly.

"Mom," she said gently this time, her voice softening as she looked at her mother's tear-streaked face, "let's go."

Her mother stood immediately, her back straight despite her trembling hands. She'd taken enough humiliation for one night.

Jayden rose as well, his expression dark and unreadable as he gathered their coats. He'd said nothing through the entire confrontation, but his jaw was tight with restrained anger-protective fury for the woman he'd come to care for, and her mother who'd been so cruelly treated.

Without another word-

The three of them walked out, the door clicking shut behind them with a final, decisive sound.

⸻

The door shut.

And just like that-

The room filled with noise again, as if a cork had been popped from a bottle of anger and resentment.

"Such an ungrateful, heartless child," Lucia snapped, pushing her chair back as she stood up, her face flushed with anger. She crossed her arms over her chest, glaring at the closed door.

"Throwing a tantrum like that in front of everyone," she added bitterly. "Who does she think she is?"

Rosa clicked her tongue, shaking her head in disapproval as she picked up her glass of water. "Ill-mannered. Always losing her temper. No wonder she had to marry some nobody-who else would put up with her?"

"Aunt..." Jenny said softly, smiling as she leaned closer to Lucia, placing a comforting hand on her arm. She'd been quiet since Jane left, but now her sweet demeanor returned in full force.

"Jane has just been in the city too long," she continued sweetly, her voice dripping with faux sympathy. "She's forgotten her roots-forgotten what family means."

She placed a hand on her chest, almost theatrically, her eyes wide with sincerity.

"Not like me. I would never treat you that way. Family always comes first."

Rosa beamed, reaching across the table to pat her daughter's hand. "Oh, my wonderful daughter," she said proudly. "So kind, so thoughtful. We're so lucky to have you."

Lucia scoffed, turning away from the door as she sat back down. "Fatherless child indeed," she muttered under her breath. "No manners whatsoever. No wonder her father ran away."

Her gaze softened as she turned to Jenny, her expression warm with approval.

"Our Jenny is the successful one," she said, nodding firmly. "Always has been. Always will be."

She leaned forward slightly, her eyes bright with curiosity.

"Jenny... weren't you taking the captain exam last month?" she asked. "Did you pass? When do you get your bars?"

Rosa immediately turned, her expression tightening with anticipation. She'd been waiting to ask this question for weeks, but Jenny had always been evasive.

Jenny froze.

Just for a second. Her hand paused mid-air as she reached for her wine glass, her smile faltering just enough to be noticeable if you were looking for it.

Her fingers adjusted the strap on her shoulder bag-black leather, a gift from Reuben-buying precious seconds as she scrambled for an answer.

Then-

"I... of course I passed," she said quickly, forcing a bright smile as she picked up her glass and took a slow sip. "Got my results last week. They're assigning me to the LA route next month."

Rosa exhaled in relief, her shoulders slumping as she smiled proudly. "I knew it! My daughter-the youngest captain at Aurelia!"

Jenny forced a smile and added, her voice carrying just enough to be heard across the table, "Jane failed hers, obviously. She's always been too impulsive for such responsibility."

"Oh," Lucia nodded, satisfied as she picked up her fork again. "Figures. She never had the discipline for it."

The grandmother tapped Jenny's arm warmly with her wrinkled fingers, her eyes crinkling with pride. "I always knew you'd be the accomplished one," she said, her voice soft with affection. "So much better than your cousin Jane. More polished, more respectful."

Jenny's smile stiffened, her jaw tightening slightly. She'd lied about so many things-her exam results, her relationship with Reuben, her role at the airline-but hearing it praised like this made her stomach twist with guilt.

"Then," the grandmother continued eagerly, her eyes lighting up with excitement, "you can help Lucia's son get that flight attendant position, right? Pull those strings you mentioned earlier?"

Jenny hesitated.

Just a fraction. Her hand tightened around her wine glass, her knuckles white against the crystal.

But Rosa didn't notice. She leaned forward, her face glowing with pride.

"Of course!" she said proudly, pulling Jenny closer to her side. "Our Jenny is now a captain at a major airline-she knows everyone who matters. Arranging a little thing like a flight attendant job is nothing."

Jenny subtly shook her head at her mother-small, urgent movements that she hoped only Rosa would see. Stop. You don't know what you're saying.

But Rosa didn't notice. She was too busy basking in the attention, too proud of the daughter she'd always wanted.

"Arranging a few positions is nothing," she continued confidently, waving her hand dismissively. "She could probably get all of us jobs if she wanted to."

Jenny's throat tightened, her mouth going dry. She'd never even taken the captain exam-she'd been too afraid to face the failure she knew was coming. And Reuben had been grounded, so his connections were worthless now.

"From now on," Rosa added excitedly, her eyes bright with possibility, "you will all fly for free whenever you want. Jenny can get us complimentary tickets-captains have that kind of power, don't they?"

"Wonderful!" Lucia clapped her hands in delight, her face lighting up like a child on Christmas morning. "We've never even been on a plane! I've always wanted to see the ocean from above."

"Jenny," she added eagerly, leaning forward across the table, "can you take us to your airline tomorrow? For a tour? Let us see where you work-see the planes up close?"

Jenny's eyes widened. she certainly couldn't arrange a tour for half the family.

She immediately grabbed her mother's arm under the table, squeezing tightly enough to leave marks.

"Mom," she whispered through clenched teeth, her smile never leaving her face but her eyes dark with urgency, "stop making promises. I can't do that."

Rosa brushed her hand away, patting it reassuringly as she turned back to Lucia.

"Of course we can," she said brightly. "Let's say tomorrow afternoon-two o'clock. Jenny will pick us up and take us right onto the tarmac if we want."

Jenny's face drained of color. The tarmac was restricted access-only authorized personnel were allowed there, and even then, only with proper identification and training.

"That would be amazing!" Lucia and the grandmother exclaimed together, clapping happily as they began planning what they'd wear and what they'd ask to see.

Jenny leaned closer again, her voice urgent now, barely more than a whisper.

"Mom, that's impossible. Airport regulations forbid non-staff in operational areas. We could all get arrested-you could get me fired."

Rosa waved her off, her voice low but dismissive.

"Nonsense," she whispered back. "We're decent people. We won't touch anything. We'll just look around and be on our way."

She smiled wider, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

"What could possibly happen? It's just a tour."

Jenny's lips parted-

Then closed. There was no point in arguing. Her mother never listened when she was in one of these moods, and saying no now would mean admitting she'd been lying about everything.

Her heart pounded against her ribs, fast and hard. She picked up her wine glass and drained it in one swallow, the alcohol burning a path down her throat.

Her forced smile returned.

But this time-

It didn't reach her eyes.

Because for the first time-

Her lies were no longer small, no longer easy to hide behind charm and excuses.

And tomorrow-

They would be tested.