Ellinorâs hunch was spot on. The person who answered the door wasnât Ida or Chase, but it wasnât a stranger either.
Byran, in his pajamas and looking like heâd just woken up, ran his fingers through his shaggy hair and yawned. âSis, itâs you? Why are you up so early? Isnât it the weekend?â
Ellinor brushed past Byran and strode straight in, taking in the state of the room with a frown. âWhere are Ida and Chase?â
Byran, trailing obediently behind her, replied, âIdaâs in the bathroom. Chase moved out a couple of days ago, remember? Heâs getting married, so he moved into his new place.â
Moved out? Chase didnât even give her a heads-up. What aâ piece of work!
Ellinorâs expression darkened. She perched on the sofa and gestured for Byran to bring her a glass of water.
Byran complied without a fuss. âOkay.â
By the time Byran fetched the water, Ida had finished in the bathroom and emerged, dressed and ready.
âYouâre up early, boss.â Ida took the glass from Byran and gave it to Ellinor herself.
Ellinor was genuinely thirsty, and she gulped down a couple of mouthfuls. âYou and Chase are getting all secretive on me. Youâre not even telling me about the wedding and sending me an invitation like some stranger?â
Ida looked innocent. âBoss, itâs got nothing to do with me. Iâd never go behind your back like that. As for Chase, I only found out he was moving out a couple of days ago when he was packing. I thought heâd tell you.â
Ellinor let out a dry laugh. âAnd where did he move to?â Ellinor took another sip of water. âHeâs got it all planned out, hasnât he? Good for him.â
As she said, âGood for him, her tone was flat, but her displeasure was palpable.
Ida, who had known Ellinor since they were kids, could see she was angry. She pulled out her phone.
âIâll call Chase. Iâll get him to come back and explain himself.â
With that, Ida headed off to the balcony to make the call.
Byran stood awkwardly in place, feeling the same kind of pressure from his sister that he usually felt from his brother, Balfour.
Youâdon âSis, Chase is an adult. He can handle his own marriage. You donât need to be so upset, do you?â
Ellinor shot him a cool look. âAm I upset?â
Byran felt a chill. âUh⦠good, good. Iâll just go cut up some fruit for you.â
He made a hasty retreat to the safety of the kitchen.
It was obvious that she was upset. The look in her eyes was like daggers. If he didnât get out of the line of fire, heâd get skewered.
On the balcony.
Ida finally got through to Chase. From the wind noise on the line, he didnât seem to be at home.
âWhere are you? The boss is looking for you.â
Chaseâs voice had an unusual edge to it. âWhatâs up? Does she need something?â
Ida snapped. âCut the crap! Get back here and explain your wedding plans to her!â
Chase chuckled. âTell her to wait for me. Iâll be back soon to own up.â