The morning light filtered through my kitchen windows as I carefully measured the spices for my mother's famous pumpkin pie recipe. Today was supposed to be perfect—our engagement party, the day Desmond would officially ask me to be his wife after seven years together. My fingers trembled slightly as I added a pinch of cinnamon to the mixture.
"This has to be perfect," I whispered to myself, glancing at the framed photo of my mother on the countertop. "Mom, I wish you could be here today."
The recipe card in my hand was worn at the edges, stained with vanilla extract and love. Every Thanksgiving, Mom would make this pie, her secret recipe that made our small apartment feel like the warmest place on earth. Now I was carrying on her tradition, though the ache of her absence never quite faded.
The doorbell rang, pulling me from my thoughts.
"I'll get it!" I called out, wiping my hands on my apron.
When I opened the door, Desmond stood there with Mira at his side. My stomach tightened slightly at the sight of them together so early.
"Sorry to come so early, babe," Desmond said, kissing my cheek. "But we wanted to help with the preparations."
Mira smiled that perfect smile that never quite reached her eyes. "We couldn't wait to celebrate! Seven years deserves something special."
"Come in," I said, stepping aside. "I'm just finishing up the pumpkin pie."
As they entered, Mira's gaze immediately zeroed in on my baking station. "Pumpkin pie? Oh, let me help with that!"
"No, really," I said quickly, "I've got it under control. This was my mother's recipe, and I want to make it myself."
Mira's smile faltered for just a moment before returning, brighter than before. "Oh, Lyric, I understand how important this is to you. But don't you think it would be even more special if I helped? After all, I'm practically family now."
Desmond nodded, placing his hand on my shoulder. "Let Mira help, Lyric. She's a great baker."
I felt a familiar knot form in my stomach. Whenever Mira wanted something, she always got her way. And Desmond always seemed to side with her.
"Fine," I conceded, stepping back. "But I want to supervise."
Mira practically pushed me out of the way, her perfectly manicured hands already reaching for my ingredients. "Don't worry, I'll make it extra special for your engagement."
Three hours later, our dining room was filled with friends and family. The table was set with my grandmother's china, candles flickering between bouquets of autumn flowers. Desmond looked handsome in his navy suit, his eyes occasionally meeting mine with what I thought was excitement about our announcement.
"Everyone, dinner was wonderful," Mira announced, standing up and smoothing her designer dress. "But I think we all know what the real star of Thanksgiving is—the pumpkin pie!"
She disappeared into the kitchen, returning with a beautifully presented pie, topped with whipped cream and a sprinkling of cinnamon. My heart swelled—despite her taking over, she had done a lovely job with my mother's recipe.
"This looks amazing, Mira," I said, genuinely impressed.
She beamed, setting it down in front of me. "I made sure it was extra special for our guest of honor." Her eyes glittered as she cut a slice and placed it on my plate. "Lyric should take the first bite."
Desmond nodded, standing behind my chair and placing his hands on my shoulders. I could feel him trembling slightly—with excitement, I thought.
"You should try it, Lyric," he encouraged. "It's tradition."
I picked up my fork, feeling everyone's eyes on me. This was supposed to be our moment—before Desmond's proposal, before we began our forever.
The fork touched my lips. I closed my eyes for just a second, imagining my mother watching over me.
The first bite was sweet, then bitter—a strange, chalky bitterness that made my tongue curl. Something was wrong. Very wrong.
"What is this?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.
Mira's smile widened, her eyes gleaming with something I couldn't identify. "Do you like it? I added a special ingredient."
Desmond's hands tightened on my shoulders.
"What did you put in it?" I demanded, nausea rising in my throat.
Mira's voice dropped to a stage whisper, ensuring everyone could hear. "I thought it would be beautiful to include your mother in this special moment." Her eyes met mine, innocent yet calculating. "I mixed in her ashes with the filling."
The room fell silent. My fork clattered to the plate.
"What?" I whispered, horror washing over me as I realized what I had just eaten.
"Oh my God," someone gasped.
Desmond stood frozen behind me, his face pale as the truth hung in the air between us.
"You—you put my mother's ashes in the pie?" My voice cracked as the room spun around me.
Mira tilted her head, her expression almost childlike in its innocence. "Wasn't it a beautiful way to include her in your engagement? After all, she's always been with you, hasn't she?"
The champagne glass in my hand slipped, shattering against the hardwood floor as the full weight of what had just happened crashed over me.
