Chapter 307: FINAL Chapter - With a plot twist

Olivia’s POV

The reception was held in the estate’s ballroom, decorated in ivory and gold with flowers everywhere.

The celebration was in full swing - people dancing, eating, laughing. My father had made a speech that had everyone crying again. Maxwell’s mother had welcomed me to the family with such warmth that I’d hugged her for a solid minute.

And the best man speech...

"So there was a huge argument," Maxwell had told me a few weeks ago, looking exhausted. "Damien, Alex, Gabriel, and Kennedy all think they should be my best man."

"Who did you pick?" I’d asked.

"Damien. He saved my life, after all. But the other three are not happy about it."

Damien’s speech had been perfect - funny, touching, and only slightly embarrassing for Maxwell. He’d told stories about their childhood, made jokes about Maxwell’s obsession with me, and ended with a toast about finding love that lasts.

I’d caught Kennedy’s eye during the speech, and he’d smiled at me - genuine and warm and happy for me.

Things had been awkward between us at first after I’d chosen Maxwell. But Kennedy had come to me about a month ago and told me that he understood. That he wanted me to be happy. And that he was happy too - with Kira.

Which brought me to now.

I was at our sweetheart table, taking a break from dancing, when Kira appeared beside me looking pale and anxious.

"Liv," she said, her voice tight. "I need to talk to you. It’s an emergency."

My heart jumped. "What’s wrong? Are you okay?"

"I’m fine. Just - can we go somewhere private?"

I looked at Maxwell, who was talking with some business associates across the room. He caught my eye and I mouthed "bathroom" at him. He nodded.

Kira and I made our way to a quiet corner of the venue, away from the celebration.

"Okay," I said, turning to face her. "What’s the emergency? You’re scaring me." 𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚

Kira took a deep breath, and I noticed her hands were shaking.

"I haven’t been feeling well for a few weeks," she started. "I thought maybe it was just stress or something I ate. But then I started feeling nauseous in the mornings and I was late and..."

My eyes widened. "Kira. Did you..."

"I took a pregnancy test just now," she confirmed. "Actually, three of them. All positive."

Joy exploded in my chest. "Oh my God! Kira, that’s amazing! You’re pregnant! Why do you look like someone died? This is wonderful news!"

But Kira didn’t smile. Didn’t look happy at all.

In fact, she looked like she might throw up.

"Kira?" I said slowly. "What’s wrong? Talk to me. Did something happen?"

She closed her eyes, and when she spoke, her voice was barely a whisper.

"I’m not sure if the baby is Damien’s or Kennedy’s."

I stared at her.

Blinked.

Processed what she’d just said.

Then: "WHAT?"

"Shh!" She looked around frantically. "Keep your voice down!"

"You slept with Damien?" I hissed, trying to keep my voice low despite my shock. "When? How? You’re with Kennedy!"

"I know!" Kira looked miserable. "It was... God, Liv, it was so stupid. It was about six weeks ago. Kennedy and I had this huge fight about something - I don’t even remember what - and I was upset and went to a bar and Damien was there and we started talking and drinking and..."

"Oh no."

"We went back to his place," she continued, the words tumbling out in a rush. "And we... you know. And the next morning I felt so guilty and horrible and I told him it was a mistake and it could never happen again. And then Kennedy and I made up and everything was fine and I thought..."

"That you’d gotten away with it," I finished.

"I know how terrible that sounds," Kira said, tears forming in her eyes. "But I love Kennedy, Liv. I really do. That thing with Damien was just... I don’t know. Old feelings? Stupidity? Too much alcohol? Maybe all of the above."

"Does Kennedy know?" I asked.

"No! God, no. And I don’t know if I should tell him or..." She broke off, pressing her hands to her face. "What am I going to do? How am I supposed to tell Kennedy I’m pregnant when I don’t even know if the baby is his?"

I pulled her into a hug, my mind racing.

"Okay," I said. "First, we need to breathe. This is going to be okay."

"How?" Kira’s voice was muffled against my shoulder. "How is this going to be okay?"

"I don’t know yet," I admitted. "But we’ll figure it out. Together. That’s what best friends do."

I pulled back to look at her.

"But Kira? You need to tell Kennedy. And Damien. They both deserve to know."

"I know," she whispered. "I’m just so scared."

"I know you are," I said gently. "But keeping this secret will only make it worse."

She nodded, wiping at her tears.

"Can I just get through your wedding first?" she asked. "Let you have your perfect day before I blow up everyone’s lives with this mess?"

I wanted to argue. Wanted to tell her that honesty was always better.

But looking at her terrified face, I just hugged her again.

"Okay," I said. "We’ll deal with this tomorrow. Today is for celebrating."

"Thank you," she breathed. "And Liv? Congratulations. I know I’m a mess right now, but I’m so happy for you and Maxwell. You deserve all the happiness in the world."

"So do you," I said firmly. "And we’re going to figure this out. I promise."

We headed back to the reception, and I plastered on a smile as Maxwell pulled me onto the dance floor.

But as we swayed together, my hand on his shoulder and his on my belly where our sons kicked gently, I couldn’t help but think:

Our happily ever after had finally begun.

But Kira’s? Hers was about to get very, very complicated.

THE END!

Or is it?