“The ring is back on but on the wrong hand. What does it all mean?” Linna laughed as she read from her phone. “These people need hobbies. Honestly.” She really was starting to show signs of a slight British accent.

“They didn't even write about the bus crash that killed all those poor kids. It’s you, the ring, Alex and Aiden, and the king’s father’s health. And of course, the British royals. Poor things are on the second page. At least William is just having more kids. Though I suppose some scandal on their part might give you a much needed break.” She was definitely sounding more British.

“A break would be nice,” I agreed and finishing highlighting the notes I'd taken on my computer and tried not to let the name “Alex” grind me. Aiden had begged me not to believe a single thing printed and that he and Alex would never happen. She was his mother’s insisted-upon guest and an old school friend, nothing more.

“We have a problem.” Jess burst into the room with Bea and Dee hot on her heels.

“What?”

“It’s Mary’s birthday so guess who decided to come visit?”

My insides danced. “Is Aiden coming?”

“No.” Dee cringed.

“Oh.” The look had to mean the queen. “Great. Where’s Mary?”

“In the shower.” Linna pointed. “I’ll get her. Is she here already?”

“Just landed. Johan says they’ll be here in half an hour.” Jess’ cheeks flushed. Johan was winning the game of hearts being played between him and Aaron, unbeknownst to them both. As Linna had joked, my drama was too big for Jess to be forced to deal with it.

“God hates me, I swear,” I grumbled and gathered my things, taking everything to my room. We scrambled and did a quick tidy to make sure the apartment was clean enough.

Mary’s hair was still wet when the entourage came through the door. Guards, the queen, and Johan.

“Mary, darling.” Her mother rushed her, hugging but grimacing at the hair. “Why are you all wet?”

“I was in the shower when Johan messaged.”

“Happy Birthday, darling. Hope we aren’t intruding.” Her eyes darted about the room. “Dee, my sweet niece.” She hugged her and Bea, not offering Bea the same greeting. “Hello, girls.” She eyed up the rest of us.

“Your Highness. We’ll give you some privacy,” Jess said, taking my hand in hers and pulling me and Linna from the room.

We sat on Jess’ bed, in silence trying to listen to the conversation out in the other room, but it was too quiet until the queen began shouting.

“Mary, you can’t be serious. Those girls have no reason to stay in the suite with you. I’ve spoken with Isaac and Tracy and they agree, the apartment is crowded.”

“Mother, you told Isaac and Tracy their opinions and the only one I care about is Aiden’s. Did he say he wants Fin, Jess, and Linna out?”

“He’s busy, Mary. He has much more important matters at hand, and don't you dare take that tone with me.” Her mother’s voice rose to a shriek at the end.

“When Aiden says he wants them out, I’ll have them moved to a different dorm. Until then, we’re not discussing it. I don't know why you bothered coming at all.” Mary was savage. She was not taking prisoners.

“How dare you, you insolent little—?”

“No, Mum. How dare you? You think I don't know about your little game? Trying to break things off between Aiden and Fin? We’re all privy to the horrible things you’ve done to her, and to me.” And there it was, the cat was out of the bag and the claws were out.

“I have no idea—”

“Oh shut up, please,” Mary shouted and a slap resounded in the suite. I jumped up, running into the room to see Mary holding her flame-red cheek. Her mother had her hands to her lips. Johan, Bea, and Dee all stared, mouths open and eyes wide.

“Mary—” her mother started.

“No, don't bother. This is the perfect birthday gift. It matches your Christmas present.”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.” Tears formed in the queen’s eyes.

“Mum, cut the act. You poisoned me and Fin with ketamine from the stables and paid Sheila millions of dollars to release those videos of Fin to ruin her. You hired the photogs to stalk her and shame her. You set Fin up.”

“What?” The queen gasped and for a second I bought the act.

“We know it was you. We all know, so don't try to lie. First the kiss between Alex and Aiden, making sure Fin was upset. Then the ketamine at your toast. You had those glasses of champagne put aside, and you made sure Fin and I got them when we came up to do the toast. You couldn’t be certain we would take the right glass so you poisoned both. Then you paid Sheila to send those videos to the press in time to seal the deal for Fin. Fin’s dad found the four million dollars paid to Sheila on Boxing Day.” Mary was unhinged. She pointed a finger at me. “Do you have any idea what you have done to this poor girl this last six months? And you know what the worst part is? She refuses to tell Father or Aiden because she’s worried for father’s health and Aiden’s sanity and our country. She lets you humiliate and poison her, and you get away with it because she cares more about your family and people than you do.”

Mary stepped closer to her mother, leaning in. “How could you? And for what? To control who becomes queen? Are you really so ridiculous?”

The queen’s face paled. She stepped back, furrowing her eyebrows. The jig was up.

She swallowed hard and fled the room, her guards hurrying after her.

Mary sighed, losing all the rage and hatred. She staggered back a little, lifting a hand to her face before she slumped to her knees and started crying. She was inconsolable. We all cried, even Johan.

I forced myself to get up and go to the kitchen to put the tea on. It was the British cure-all. My fingers ached to tell Aiden everything. I hated that his mom would go home and try to cover this up. But at the same time, the whole reason we hadn’t said anything was to protect him and their dad. Outing their mom still didn't make sense. I phoned Hattie from the kitchen, whispering, “Hey.”

“You okay?” she asked, also whispering.

“No. The craziest thing just happened and I am totally freaking out. Aiden’s mom just came here and Mary unleashed hell on her. She told her everything we know, and the queen looked completely scared and ran away.” I backed into the corner, hoping no one would hear me.

“Oh holy shit. Ran away, huh? Never took her for a runner.” Hattie sounded shocked.

“No, me either. And now I don't know what to do. Aiden asked me to come for spring break—”

“That’s a month away. Maybe she’ll forget by then,” she joked.

“Hattie, I’m serious. I promised him I would come home with Mary. We’re not in one of those good places where we can break promises to each other. This is all really delicate.”

“You don't have to tell me, kid. I’m the one who helped him ambush you. I will say, the guy flew seven hours to get here. Spent eight hours in Halifax with you. And then flew home seven hours so no one would know he was gone. If that doesn't scream love, I don't know what does.”

“What are you saying?” I was lost.

“If he can do all that for you, maybe your dumb ass can go to Andorra and suffer through whatever hell the queen might make your life for a couple of days.”

“Ah.” I nodded, seeing I should have expected her point would not only sting but also suggest I stop being a little baby. “Fine. But if I end up in the rag magazines with some new scandal, it’s all your fault.”

“Yup. I’ll take all the blame. Be good.”

“Bye.” I hung up and poured the tea, filling a tray with mugs and sugar and cream. I grabbed a bag of ice and wrapped it in a cloth and put it on the tray. Deciding perhaps we might need more than tea, I found some cookies coated in chocolate and put them under the ice pack. It was heavy but I managed to carry it all into the living room.

I handed the ice pack to Mary and passed out the small mugs. Jess helped. When everyone had tea and cookies, we sat back and sipped quietly, sort of shocked into silence like a calm after the storm.

The room felt awkward. Linna darted her gaze to mine. I shook my head slightly, sensing her need to fill the emptiness. But someone else beat her to it.

“I just think we should all take a moment and say a prayer for the staff working on the jet today,” Johan joked. “The ride home is going to be bumpy.”

We all laughed, even Mary who held the ice pack to her cheek which was still quite red and puffy. I knew that pain. Sheila had hit me like that before. More than a few times.

“I have never seen you like that, Mary.” Bea contemplated before finishing, “I always knew you had it in you, but I had no idea we would ever see it firsthand.”

“Indeed, it was bloody brilliant to watch her get a dose of her own medicine,” Dee added.

“I’m so sorry, Mary.” I didn't think it was brilliant, and as I’d spent my life being cruel to Sheila, I knew of the aftereffects of the rage. It was amazing to unleash but regret did start to trickle in, and eventually, what had felt like a triumphant win, felt more like a loss.

“I’m sorry too, Fin. I hate that she did all that to you.” Mary gave a heavy sigh. “I can’t believe she hit me.”

“I can’t believe she poisoned you and then berated you for humiliating Aiden and the family. I think that might be the most savage part,” Johan said.

“Agreed.” Mary nodded along. “That was cruel. She did it on purpose and then made me feel like a complete disappointment for failing our family. How could she be so cruel?”

“Are you going to tell Aiden?” Bea asked me.

“No. God no. His dad couldn’t cope with this. And Aiden isn’t doing so hot either.”

“Martyr to the end then?” Bea remarked bitterly. She liked the show. She wanted to see Aiden explode. I personally didn't.

I didn't feel like a martyr. I was too tense and sickened by the violence and venom spewed before us. My stomach was a ball of nerves and I was sweating for no reason at all.

My phone vibrated. I checked it and smiled, I couldn't fight it.

“What?” Mary asked.

“Aiden said we have to come home for spring break because he just put in an order for this, and he expects we will want to meet him.” I turned my phone and flashed the tiny puppy who couldn't be more than a couple of weeks old. “He comes home the week we arrive.”

It was a tiny Siberian husky. The selfie he took with the dog, something I never imagined he would do, had “Happy Birthday Mary” written across it. Mary moved closer, gushing, “Oh my gosh. He is lovely.” She was beaming when she pressed Aiden’s name then tapped the speakerphone icon.

“Hi,” Aiden spoke softly.

“You absolute wretch. You’re going to spend my birthday with my gift?” She pretended to be angry. “You’re lucky that is the cutest dog I’ve ever seen. I want to name him Oswald.”

“Happy Birthday, Mary,” Aiden’s tone changed slightly. “And you are correct about one thing—he is the cutest dog I’ve ever seen. Certainly, too cute for the name Oswald, you weirdo.”

Mary cackled as we passed the phone around, acting like we hadn’t just witnessed something awful.

It was hard keeping the secret from Aiden but it was the right thing to do.

I just hoped we could keep it up.