Jerry bustled around the kitchen.
He’d never cooked for me before, claiming “Real men build careers, not waste time cooking.”
“Come sit, sis! Jerry’s Honey Glazed Pork Ribs are legendary,” Nicole announced quite proud to show off. “He even remembered my cycle and made Herbal Ginger Infusion. Want some?”
Jerry approached as if last night never happened. “Sit. I’ll dish up for you.”
I glanced at the cup he placed before me.
Called out to the housekeeper, “Aunt Li, bring my steak upstairs later.”
Nicole stirred the pot beside him, “See? She snubs my kindness and your cooking.”
Upstairs, I called my lawyer friend. “Draft papers. I want a divorce.”
“Still dreaming?”
“Dead serious.”
My grip tightened on the felt rabbit charm.
Her voice softened. “What’d Jerry do? I’ll break his legs!”
“Doesn’t matter.”
“That idiot knelt three days at your doorstep to marry you…” When I stayed silent, she sighed. “Fine. I’ll handle it.”
After hanging up, I placed the felt rabbit on the windowsill.
Jerry made it for me.
Now, I’m done with him.
Let him play house with his stepsister.
That afternoon, an intern, brought a gift box to my design studio.
Jerry’s name adorned it.
I handed it to her unopened.
The starry–eyed intern slipped on the pink diamond bunny ring immediately.
Snapped a photo for her social media feed.
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06:17
Jerry arrived for contracts and spotted the ring instantly.
“Why’d you give my gift away?”
Before I replied, he added, “Alright, we square now?”
His arm snaked around me. “Pam, Nicole’s just an immature kid. Not like you–sophisticated, magnetic.”
I shoved his arm off. “So I should indulge her?”
Pulling up Nicole’s feed, I showed him: same bunny necklace draped on her collarbone, vivid red marks stark against pale skin. “Kids flaunt love bites?”
“Bug bites! I just scratched them for her,” Jerry forced a smile.
“And this necklace makes my ring look like a freebie. Quite the schemer, huh?”
My voice sharpened.
“Last night she called, you bolted. This morning? Herbal tea for her period. Ever done that for me?”
Jerry chuckled. “Jealous over trivia? I’ll remake everything for you, Pam.”
“No. Doesn’t she seem like a homewrecker to you?”
His smile vanished. “That’s harsh. She’s just my sister.”
“Fine. Mind if I sleep with my brother tonight? Mind if he leaves marks on my neck?”
Jerry’s face darkened. “Not funny, Pam. Never say that again.”
Seeing him care, I pressed on, “Besides, Nicole is just your stepsister from a blended family. Your dad and stepmoth- er divorced, legally making you two strangers free to marry. Only you’re still foolishly treating her as family.”
Jerry suddenly burst out laughing. “Pamela, you’re clearly jealous. That makes me so happy.”
“But Nicole is just a sister. I promise I’ll make her keep boundaries. Trust me.”
Watching him soften, I remembered all Jerry had done for me.
Maybe… give him one last chance, I thought.
Just as I opened my mouth to lay down some ground rules, Jerry’s phone rang.
Nicole calling.
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