Chapter 17

Chapter 17

Every move felt like a slap across my face. My heart ached with the sting of it. I had played out scenes like that in my head over and over again. Yet, standing in my home, I couldn’t help but feel a chill run down my spine.

“Jane, you’re awake?” Margaret turned to see me and greeted me with a smile, “Come on, try some of Bry’s cooking. It’s to die for.”

With that, she carried a dish to the table, acting every bit the hostess.

I took a deep breath, stepped past her, and asked Bryant straight up, “Why is she here?”

Finishing up in the kitchen, Bryant removed his apron and said coldly, “She’ll be gone after this meal.”

“You want me to leave, huh?” Margaret glared at him.

“Margaret, take the hint! Stop stirring trouble,” Bryant’s tone was icy, his patience wearing thin.

“Whatever,” Margaret muttered and pulled me to join the meal as if the person who had been crying and begging my husband to divorce me wasn’t her and as if she wasn’t the one trying to whisk my husband away

Bryant’s cooking was indeed excellent, a full spread that was a feast for the senses.

I wasn’t hungry, but the baby inside me needed to eat.

What did I have to fear if she could shamelessly be my home? So, I sat down to eat.

Margaret tried to make conversation. “Tastes good, doesn’t it?”

I forced a smile. “Bryant’s cooking is always great. Whenever he’s home, he’s in the kitchen.”

Of course, that was a lie. But I just wanted to mark my territory in the pettiest way possible.

Margaret cast a fleeting glance at Bryant. “Never knew you were this good to everyone.”

“Can’t even shut up when you’re eating?” Bryant scoffed and served me some ribs.

Margaret huffed and turned to me, “Do you know why he can cook? I taught him, especially tomato sauce pasta, my favorite. He puts his heart into it! But he made it so often for me that I got sick of it. Only makes it how when he’s lazy.”

My grip on my fork tightened until my knuckles turned white, nails digging into my So, the pasta that I cherished was leftovers of Margaret’s boredom.

flesh.

I recalled asking him where he learned to cook on our anniversary night, and he zoned out

Chapter 17

for a whole minute.

During that minute, what was he thinking about? Margaret? Or the memories of learning to cook with her?

“Speaking of which, you should thank me. If it weren’t for me, how would you have ended up with such a catch?” Margaret kept talking, her voice soft but irritating.

I slammed my fork down, unable to tolerate it anymore, and sneered, “Oh, is that why? Your marriage didn’t work out, so you thought he’d clean up your mess? Bryant, I didn’t know you had a thing for being a rebound guy and a garbage collector,” I said, my gaze on Bryant turning co

“Jane, what the hell is that supposed to mean? Margaret was livid, her eyes reddening as she looked at Bryant. “Bry, we’re supposed to be family. You mean you can’t have family around after getting married?”

“Had enough? Kevin will drive you home,” Bryant said, not even sparing her an extra glance.

“You too? Siding with her against me?” Margaret’s tears fell instantly, her face disbelief and pity. “You’re done with me?”

Bryant’s voice was emotionless. “You know what you promised. If you need help, contact Kevin directly from now on.”

Margaret trembled slightly as if deeply hurt.

Seeing Bryant’s firm stance, she smiled and said bitterly, “Fine, I get it. I won’t bother you anymore. What happens to me from now on is none of your business.”

She got up, pulling her suitcase without hesitation.

Kevin was already waiting in the car for her and quickly got out to help with her luggage. Bryant didn’t look her way, not even once.

I was surprised at how quickly he drew the line. Just the night before, I found out about his past with Margaret, and today, they were done.