Chapter 6 begins with Lucia preparing an elaborate dinner at seven o’clock, which is served with a focus on fresh vegetables, catering to Maggie and Aidan’s vegan diet. The meal consisted of carefully prepared dishes highlighting flavors from mushrooms, eggplants, and roasted squash, each course pleasantly filling me up. I couldn’t help but express my admiration for Lucia’s culinary skills, telling her that if she cooked for me regularly, I might easily transition to a vegan lifestyle. Throughout the meal, Maggie dominated the conversation, her excitement about the engagement evident as she proudly displayed her engagement ring—a beautiful pear-cut diamond that had been passed down as a family heirloom from Aidan’s grandmother. She eagerly shared the details of their wedding plans, describing a rustic, country-style reception that seemed perfectly fitting for their personalities. Aidan, however, remained mostly silent during these discussions, seemingly content to let Maggie take the lead, his reserved demeanor standing in stark contrast to her enthusiastic outpouring of ideas.

As the conversation shifted to their honeymoon plans, Aidan confessed they hadn’t yet decided on a destination, leaving the topic open-ended. I began to share fond memories of my own honeymoon cruise, eager to spark some connection, but quickly realized I had lost Maggie’s attention. She was busy checking her Apple Watch, which kept buzzing with work notifications, indicating her commitment to her career. Maggie excused herself abruptly, needing to take a work-related call, which underscored her dedication to her job, even during family meals. I attempted to continue the conversation with Aidan, asking about his thoughts on their future together, but his brief responses only added to the awkwardness, leaving us in an uncomfortable silence. It seemed as though Aidan wasn’t as keen on sharing much about his life, making me feel like an outsider in their relationship.

When Maggie returned to the table, I tried to break the tension by encouraging her to share some “good news.” She hesitated at first, unsure whether to reveal it, but it eventually became clear that her exciting announcement was a significant promotion at her company, Capaciti. Maggie would be taking on the responsibility of leading a new division focused on advancing all-electric air travel, an area I found incredibly fascinating. She shared her excitement about the opportunity to work with high-profile individuals, including Armando Castado from UPS, who had shown interest in the project. Her enthusiasm was palpable, and she spoke with great pride about the promising discussions that had already taken place, hinting at a bright future. Overcome by emotion, I hugged her tightly, still processing the impact of this life-changing news. It was clear that this promotion would not only shape her professional life but would also mark a major turning point in her personal journey.

As the evening began winding down, Maggie offered to box up the leftovers, while I took a moment to excuse myself and visit the bathroom. Upon entering, I was immediately struck by the abundance of luxurious beauty products scattered around the space, a sign of Maggie’s love for high-end personal care. After washing my hands, I heard the unmistakable sound of a running toilet, which seemed out of place, so I decided to investigate. To my surprise, I discovered a black plastic bag taped underneath the toilet lid, something that piqued my curiosity immediately. Just as I was about to examine the contents more closely, Maggie knocked on the door, calling out to check on me. Her unexpected interruption only heightened my intrigue, and I couldn’t help but wonder if there was something more to the bag that she didn’t want me to uncover. The mystery left me with a sense of unease, as I silently resolved to find out what it was when the time was right.