Sisterhood, Secrets & Blushing Brides_116

The night had mellowed into a velvet hush as the stars blanketed the sky, casting a gentle glow through the sheer curtains of the living room. Inside, the laughter from earlier had softened into scattered conversations. Plates were cleared, coffee mugs were half-full, and contentment hung in the air like perfume.

Selene stepped into the kitchen to check on the kettle, humming softly to herself. She didn't hear the quiet footsteps behind her until arms wrapped around her waist.

"Thank you," Mira whispered, her cheek resting lightly on Selene's shoulder.

Selene smiled, a little startled, but instantly softened. "For what?"

Amara joined from the other side, looping her arm around Selene's. "For being you," she said, her voice light but honest. "For always making us feel seen. Heard. Cared for. You're not just our brother's partner—you're... our sister."

Selene blinked, warmth creeping to her chest. "You two—" She laughed gently. "You're the kindest chaos I've had in my life."

"And you're the calmest home," Mira replied.

Selene, touched beyond words, turned to embrace both of them. It was that quiet, rare kind of moment where silence said everything.

But of course, peace never lasted long with the Reyes twins.

As soon as Selene pulled back, Mira's eyes twinkled mischievously. "You know," she said, elbowing Amara, "I think we finally figured out why our brother fell so hard."

Amara gasped in mock surprise. "Oh, was it because of her compassionate soul?"

"Nope."

"Her brilliance?"

"Nope again."

Selene raised a brow. "Dare I ask?"

Both grinned and chorused, "It's the way you blush when he say 'wife'!"

Selene instantly went scarlet. "I—I do not blush!"

"Oh, you absolutely do," Mira laughed.

"I saw it during dinner!" Amara added. "Every time Antonio so much as touched your hand, your cheeks went full cherry blossom."

Selene tried to hide her face with her hands, but Mira tugged them down.

"You can't escape, sister-in-law. You're ours now. You blush, we tease."

At that moment, footsteps echoed behind them and Antonio strolled in, hands in his pockets, head tilted.

"What's going on in here?" he asked, already sensing the chaos.

Mira beamed. "Just reminding your wife how adorable she is."

Antonio's eyes sparkled instantly. "Oh, are we teasing my wifey?" He crossed the room and wrapped his arms around Selene's waist from behind, resting his chin on her shoulder. "You know, you're really cute when you're flustered."

"Antonio," Selene mumbled, face turning crimson again. "Stop..."

He ignored her protest, speaking right into her ear. "My wife," he whispered. "The love of my life. Future mother of my kids. Gorgeous, genius, headstrong doctor-slash-designer wife."

"Antonio!" she squeaked, squirming, while Mira and Amara fell into a fit of giggles.

"You're all impossible," Selene said, finally laughing in defeat.

Antonio kissed the top of her head. "And yet, you love us."

"I do," she admitted, still red, still smiling. "More than anything."

The four of them laughed until their sides ached, wrapped in the kind of bond that didn't need blood to feel like family.

And in the middle of it all stood Selene—no longer just the girl who had walked into the Reyes' lives with cautious steps, but now the heart of their home.