Updated Mar 22, 2026 • ~2 min read
Chapter 23: Imogen Reaches Out
MAREN
Week thirty-four.
Six weeks until due date.
A woman emails me.
*”Hi Maren. You don’t know me, but I’m Imogen King. Jasper’s cousin. I’m also pregnant (due two weeks after you!). I’d love to meet for coffee if you’re open to it. No pressure. – Imogen”*
I show Jasper.
“Imogen? Really?”
“You know her?”
“She’s my favorite cousin. Sweet. Kind. Nothing like the board.”
“Should I meet her?”
“If you want. She’s genuinely nice.”
Curiosity wins.
***
We meet at a quiet café.
Imogen is thirty-two weeks pregnant.
Glowing. Beautiful. Warm.
“Maren! Thank you for coming.”
We hug awkwardly over our bumps.
“Thanks for reaching out.”
“I had to. The family has been awful to you and Jasper. I wanted you to know not all Kings are terrible.”
I laugh.
“Appreciated.”
We order.
(Decaf for both of us.)
“So,” she says. “Tell me everything. How did you two really meet?”
I tell her.
Miami. The conference. The anonymous night.
She’s enchanted.
“That’s so romantic!”
“It’s also a disaster.”
“The best love stories usually are.”
We talk for two hours.
About pregnancy. Family drama. The future.
She’s easy to talk to.
Non-judgmental.
“Can I be honest?” she asks.
“Please.”
“The King family feud with the Rosses? It’s always been stupid. Petty. My grandfather was a jerk. So was Jasper’s dad. But that doesn’t mean you and Jasper have to carry that forward.”
Exactly.
“I wish more people saw it that way.”
“They will. Eventually. You’re building something beautiful. And when Isla is born? People will see that love is stronger than grudges.”
I hope she’s right.
We exchange numbers.
Promise to stay in touch.
And for the first time in months, I feel hopeful.
Maybe not all of Jasper’s family hates us.
END OF CHAPTER 23
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