“Besides, our walking credit card finally got that promotion.”

“I didn’t get a promotion,” I said.

Serena blinked.

“Really? Chris said things were going great.”

I turned toward him.

“Did you?”

Chris kept his eyes on the steak menu.

“She misunderstood.”

Several relatives laughed anyway.

“Are you going to correct the rest?” I asked.

“It’s harmless,” he murmured. “Leave it.”

Serena leaned toward her sons.

“Get whatever you want. Grandpa only turns sixty-five once.”

“Can I get the biggest steak?” one asked.

“Add lobster,” Serena said. “Tonight’s covered.”

I looked at Chris.

Without meeting my eyes, he ordered the ribeye.

“And for you?” the waiter asked me.

“House salad, baked potato, and water.”

Serena laughed.

“At a steakhouse?”

Chris shifted uncomfortably.

“Natalie…”

I stood.

“Excuse me. I’m going to the restroom.”

Instead, I walked directly to the waiter.

“Separate checks, please. We’ll cover Henry and Tarryn, who are seated across from us. No one else.”

He nodded.

“Understood, ma’am.”

I returned to the table with my heart racing.

I ate quietly while Serena ordered another bottle of wine and Chris continued avoiding my gaze.

I was no longer going to protect anyone from consequences they had created themselves.

After the plates were removed, Henry placed his napkin beside his plate.

“This is more than I needed,” he said. “But I’m glad everyone’s here.”

I reached into my purse.

“Chris, I brought something for you.”

He looked at the envelope.

“What is it?”

“Open it.”

He removed the printed airline tickets.

His expression changed immediately.

“They were.”

For one brief moment, he smiled.

“I bought them months ago for our anniversary,” I said. “I was saving for the hotel.”

Chris folded the pages too quickly.

“Natalie, not now.”

“But the hotel money paid for your family’s last dinner.”

Tarryn turned toward her son.

“What does she mean?”

“The card balance was high,” Chris said. “I was putting the money back after my bonus.”

“You took it without asking me,” I said.

“I was fixing a bill.”

“You were fixing the result of staying quiet.”

Serena lowered her glass.

“Why are we discussing your marriage at Dad’s birthday?”

“Because, Serena, you made my money part of dinner before we’d even ordered.”

“I never forced you to pay.”

“You called me a credit card, ordered wine, and told your kids that tonight was covered.”

“It was a joke.”

“Then who was supposed to pay for the joke?”

Before she could respond, the waiter returned carrying several folders.

He placed one before each household.

Serena opened hers and stared at it.

“What is this?”

“Your check,” I said.

“It’s over $400.”

“You ordered steak, lobster, drinks, and dessert. Surely you can’t be surprised.”

I turned toward Chris.

“I told you everyone was paying tonight. Did you tell them?”