8
At the dinner table, everyone couldn’t stop raving about the dish I had cooked.
We’d barely started eating when my brother’s phone rang.
I glanced over and saw Ethan’s name flashing on the screen.
Keeping a calm expression, my brother declined the call.
But Ethan was persistent–he called again and again. Finally, my brother sighed, blocked
his number, and put the phone down.
The tension at the table was palpable.
Liam, however, seemed completely unfazed. He quietly continued piling food into my
bowl, oblivious to everything else going on.
When no more calls came, I finally let out a breath of relief.
“But then, my mom’s phone started ringing.
09:59 Mon, 3 Feb M.
༢ .36%–
Her face grew awkward as she glanced at the screen and reluctantly answered.
“Hello, Ethan,” she said stiffly.
Whatever he said on the other end made her expression darken by the second.
Before she could respond, my brother snatched the phone from her hand and stormed
out of the room.
Though he tried to keep his voice low, I still heard every word.
“Ethan, you son of a b****, don’t push your luck! You think I don’t know what happened between you and my sister? You’re married now, so stop dragging her down with you. If it weren’t for your mom, I would’ve flown over and punched you by now!”
My parents immediately turned their worried eyes toward me.
So they knew. They had known all along.
My throat tightened, and tears spilled uncontrollably into my bowl.
Another shrimp landed in my bowl, snapping me out of my daze. I glanced to the side and remembered that Liam was still sitting next to me.
Embarrassed by my outburst, I quickly stood up.
“Sorry, I need to go upstairs for a bit.”
I hurried out of the room, not noticing the way Liam’s knuckles had turned white from clenching his fists.
Not long after, my parents and brother came upstairs to check on me.
Mom pulled me into her arms, tears streaming down her face.
“We’ve always known, sweetie. I just didn’t bring it up because I didn’t want to make you sad.”
<
09:59 Mon, 3 Feb
Buried in her embrace, I finally broke down, years of pent–up pain spilling out all at once.
The only thing I left out was Ethan’s fake amnesia and my miscarriage.
“Damn it!”
My brother punched the wall, his voice choked with guilt.
“This is all my fault! I knew Ethan was a player, but I still let you stay with his family. I thought he’d respect the fact that you’re my sister, but I was wrong…”
I shook my head and whispered, “It’s not your fault, Ben. I’m the one who failed to see him for who he really is.”
Mom stroked my hair gently.
“Forget it, Annie. If you don’t want to get married, that’s fine. I’ll talk to Liam’s family and explain everything.”
I was about to agree, but then I remembered Liam’s quiet, earnest gaze in the kitchen earlier, the way he looked at me like I was his whole world.
After a moment of hesitation, I finally said, “Tomorrow, I’ll talk to him myself.”
That night, Mom stayed with me, just like she used to when I was a child, softly patting my back until I fell asleep.
I hadn’t slept so soundly in years.
