Lahat ng Kabanata ng Built Like Karma: The Plus Size Girl's Guide to Comeuppance : Kabanata 171 - Kabanata 180

Jalen’s POV Friday morning By the time Friday rolls around, I’m riding a high I haven’t felt in years.Michael calls me mid-morning and tells me they’re filing an emergency motion next week to get the divorce approved. Everything has already been reviewed by him, his business partner, and all the legal eyes that matter. He just wants me to come in, read through everything Talia signed, and make sure I’m comfortable with everything before it goes to court for the final stamp of approval.I tell my dad.I tell my mom.I tell my brothers and their significant others.And of course, I tell Aria.Everyone is excited, relieved, and they feel light.We decide that after I finish at Michael’s office, we’re going out for a proper dinner downtown. Somewhere nice. Somewhere that feels like a milestone. We’ll figure out where later.As I pull out of the parking garage and head toward Michael’s office, my phone chimes with a text message.Unknown number.I tap the steering wheel and let my car r

Jalen’s POVThe second my sister in law stands and water starts rushing down her legs, I sigh.“I think she’s having the baby.”And all hell breaks loose.Everyone panics, I mean everyone, including Aria. Chairs scrape the floor. Voices overlap in chaos. Someone gasps like we’re in a movie. I don’t even know what to say, so I don’t say anything.Instead, I look at my brother.Patrick.And while everyone else is losing their damn minds, he’s calm. So calm that no one even notices except me.He pulls out his phone and dials 911 without hesitation. One hand rubs Amara’s back as she bends forward with a sharp breath, the other steady on her waist. He murmurs in her ear, slow and grounding, like he’s anchoring her to the floor.He’s going to be a really good dad.And I’m grateful for him, deeply.Growing up, my father kind of… sidelined Patrick. Especially after his autism diagnosis. He’s high-functioning, high on the spectrum, so most people don’t notice right away, but it affects him.

Jalen’s POV By the time Monday hits, reality punches me square in the chest.The weekend was perfect, too perfect. Parker and Amara welcoming Thomas and Tia into the world, the whole family floating on that newborn high, with laughter echoing through hospital hallways like nothing bad has ever touched us, but Monday doesn’t care about our joy. Monday clocks in on time like always, but Monday also flies by.Tuesday flies even faster.And somewhere in between, Aria has basically moved into my house.Not officially, but officially.She’s been spending the night, leaving her things everywhere in the most natural way possible. A sweater draped over the back of the chair. Shoes by the door. Her skincare lined up next to mine like it’s always belonged there, and the wildest part?Unlike Talia, Kira loves her.Like… genuinely.She checks on Aria constantly. Makes sure she’s eating. Makes sure she’s resting. Makes sure she’s not lifting anything heavy. Kira treats her like family already.Lu

Aria POV I sigh as Saturday rolls around again.Not a relaxed Saturday. Not a sleep in, brunch, mind your business Saturday. No, this is a gala prep, brain on fire, don’t talk to me unless you’re helping kind of Saturday.Next Saturday is the actual gala, and I cannot wait for this shit to be over.I’m sitting on the floor at Amara’s house, surrounded by paperwork like I live here now. I’ve got a literal booklet of guest names directly in front of my face. Another booklet with children’s names, kids getting gifts spread out to my right. Contracts for caterers and decorators stacked neatly to my left. And then, because the universe hates peace, I’ve got a donor list sitting on my other side.This all needs to be organized by Wednesday.At least.The caterers and decorators are already paid, this is just contract copies. And yes, I keep them close, because people will try you if they think you’re distracted. I don’t care how “professional” they claim to be. I’ve been doing this long en

Third-person POVAs the days crept on, Talia was, for once in her lifetime, living in bliss.She was actually enjoying the stay at home, almost motherly routine she’d fallen into. Every morning, she made sure Tony Arroyo had something for breakfast, even though she was not a cook by any stretch of the imagination. Most mornings, it was dry toast, smoothies, cereal with almond milk, yogurt with fruit, maybe more toast. She never attempted anything elaborate, never tried to really cook, but Tony never complained.And the truth was, she was in love.For the first time in her life, Talia realized she was genuinely and deeply in love with Tony Arroyo. Not infatuation. Not just for convenience, actual love. The kind that settled into her chest quietly and stayed there, and it hit her hard one morning, standing in the kitchen with a blender humming, that she had been in love with him for years. She’d just buried it, ignored it, and pushed it away, because of her mother’s voice in her head, t