Just as she finished speaking, Kevin came out of the bathroom and opened the door, catching the end of Amber’s words.
Acting as if he hadn’t seen her, he handed me the bag he was carrying.
A hint of tenderness spread across his face as he kissed my forehead:
“You’ve been working hard, honey. I noticed you ran out of oil yesterday, so I stopped by the mall after work and bought you a new bottle. I’ll help you apply it later.”
My eyes welled up, and I nuzzled against him affectionately.
Actually, Kevin had never supported Amber taking things from me.
It was just that I was too soft–hearted and could never refuse Amber’s requests.
Kevin never blamed me for it. Instead, he started buying two of everything, worried that I wouldn’t have anything left after Amber took things.
A few times when he forgot, Amber would mock him with cold sarcasm, saying he had no sense of responsibility.
Causing both families to go without.
Kevin was an upright person who wouldn’t argue with a woman, let alone gossip about his brother.
He was left red–faced and embarrassed several times by her scolding.
Even though it was Amber who was taking things from us, she made both of us hang our heads in shame.
The losses I suffered in my previous life, I would pay back in full this time around.
Amber had been staring intently at the shopping bag since Kevin entered. Hearing his words, she chimed in again inappropriately:
“So you did buy a new one? Kevin’s so generous, willing to spend money on you.”
“Let me help you open it.”
She started walking towards me.
I quickly covered the bag in my hands:
“Actually, this is a gift for one of Kevin’s big clients. His wife is pregnant, and Kevin just closed a deal with him, so it’s a bit of a personal favor.”
I winked at Kevin: “Right, honey?”
Kevin immediately understood my meaning and nodded repeatedly.
“That’s right, I was able to meet my target this quarter thanks to that client.”
Amber frowned:
“What a coincidence?”
“How come when I ask to borrow something, you say it’s a gift? You’re not just trying to avoid lending it to me, are you?”
I raised my voice, pretending to be angry:
“Amber, how can you think that of me? When have I ever refused to give you something you asked for? How about this: I’ll give you this bottle of oil, and if Kevin doesn’t meet his sales target next quarter and doesn’t get his bonus, we’ll just borrow some money from Eric to pay the mortgage. How’s that?”
Hearing that we might ask to borrow money from her family, Amber withdrew her outstretched hand.
“Forget it, I’m not the kind of person who takes advantage of others.”
With that, she hurriedly left, afraid we might ask to borrow money the next second.
Hearing the front door close, I finally let out a sigh of relief.
