Chapter 34

Disaster

Kia

I got out of bed and walked into the kitchen, where I could smell the aroma of freshly prepared coffee, just like every other day. Early in the morning, my husband was up making breakfast. Even though I’m not a morning person, the aroma of that coffee easily roused me this morning. I wouldn’t have woken up so quickly if it had been any other day. This day didn’t really feel like any other day for some reason. Perhaps because Ares will finally meet my dad, my annoying stepmother, and my half-sister on this day.

Ares stood in front of the stove with his left hand on his hip, his right hand holding a spatula. Golden batter bubbled on the griddle. I stood to his right, leaning against a cabinet. He watched me watch him.

Although I now eat browned pancakes, knowing that the color delivers taste, I craved golden pancakes. I couldn’t stomach a touch of darkness. The front pancakes on the griddle would stay yellow, but each pair leading to the back carri