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Leaning against the wall, I clutched the medicine bottle, my hand covering my mouth and nose, trying to avoid any trace of seafood scent. Before I could catch my breath, Ethan’s accusation exploded.
“Do you hate Qiana that much? She made breakfast for us, and you ruin it like this?”
Mason followed, his voice laced with anger.
‘Lanie, you’re unbelievable! What’s gotten into you?”
A surge of bitter resentment flooded me.
Trembling, tears welling, I opened my mouth to explain, to express my frustration and anger.
But all that came out was a choked sob.
“I’ve changed? I have changed? Or have your hearts changed?”
I choked out, my voice thick with emotion.
“I’m allergic to seafood! Have you both forgotten?”
“When I had reactions before, how did you both treat me? And now… this?”
My voice was raspy and weak, yet each word was a sharp blade, piercing Ethan and Mason’s hearts.
They used to be so protective.
Every time I had an asthma attack, they’d be frantic, skipping school, rushing to my side, red-eyed and anxious, tending to me.
No one could get them to leave.
And now… they’d forgotten something this crucial.
Ethan’s face paled.
After a moment, he murmured, “Sorry.”
His voice was low and heavy.
Mason’s brows furrowed, images of my past allergic reactions flashing through his mind. They’d been there countless times, witnessing my suffering and helplessness.
He stepped forward. “Are you… are you okay now? I’m sorry. That porridge… Qiana said she picked out fresh seafood… it was her way of showing her kindness, so I was just…”
I remained silent.
Once my color returned after taking the medicine, Ethan and Mason quickly removed the offending bowl.
For the next few days, they were like ghosts, their rooms dark and silent.
I didn’t care.
I was busy packing my bags.
Once most of my belongings were packed, I really looked around the house, a place once filled with laughter.
I’d bought it, and Ethan and Mason had bought the houses on either side, connecting them to create a large home, so we could live closer together.
Now, only a third of it felt like mine.
Selling it would be complicated.
But I was determined to leave the past behind.
Ethan and Mason finally returned, just as a realtor arrived to discuss the sale of the house.
Seeing a stranger in their home, Ethan’s face darkened.”Who are you? What are you doing here?”
The realtor, visibly intimidated, stammered, “Gentlemen, I’m a realtor. The homeowner wants to sell the property.”
Sell the house?
<7
Ethan and Mason exchanged shocked, bewildered glances.
They were about to order the realtor out when I came down the stairs.
I’m selling the house. I was about to discuss it with you both,” I said calmly.
Ethan and Mason’s hearts sank.
They asked in unison, “Why? Everything’s fine here, isn’t it?”
Mason, remembering the incident with the porridge, felt a sense of foreboding.
‘Are you still upset about the porridge? We didn’t mean to forget about your allergy. Do you really have to do this?”
I shook my head, my voice flat.”It’s not about the porridge…”
“It’s about you two.*
I don’t want anything more to do with you.
I didn’t say that, though.
Метка
“You know I quit my job. I need a fresh start, and this house isn’t convenient anymore. Besides, we’ve lived together for years. We don’t need to be constantly together.”
Ethan’s face hardened.”If it’s work, we can drive you. We’ve lived together for years; we’re used to each other. Why separate?”
“Yeah, with me and Ethan here, what do you have to worry about? I don’t agree with this,” Mason added.
Their insistence tested my patience.
I laid down my trump card.
“Fine. Let’s sell this house and buy a bigger one. You can move Qiana in then.”
At the mention of Qiana, their eyes lit up, but a flicker of hesitation crossed their faces. Mason, unable to resist, spoke first. “If that’s the case, then… maybe.”
Ethan, however, remained thoughtful, his gaze complex.
“You’re willing to… to have Qiana live with us?”
He sensed something wasn’t right.
I chuckled, a hint of mockery in my voice.”Of course. We’re all friends, right?”
I made a decisive decision. “Let’s do it. Sell this house and buy a new one.”
Ethan and Mason offered no further objections.
< 8
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Finally, the house was sold.
A wave of relief washed over me.
The pressure had lifted.
While signing the paperwork, I noticed the closing date was the same day I was leaving for Miami.’
Perfect.
No need for explanations to Ethan and Mason.
Signing my name felt liberating.
It was almost over.
Only one thing left.
I went shopping, carefully selecting a massage gun and a pair of jade bracelets.
Then I went to my aunt’s house.
She enveloped me in a hug the moment I walked in.
“Lanie, sweetheart, I’m going to miss you so much. You’ve lived here for so many years, and you’re like a daughter to me. This is going to feel so strange without you.”
Wiping away tears, she held my hand tightly.
A lump formed in my throat. I forced a smile.
“Aunt, I’m going to miss you too. But we’re family. Flights and trains are easy; we can see each other at Christmas.”
She understood.
She managed a smile, pulling me onto the sofa.
“Sit tight, honey. I took a few days off knowing you were leaving. You’re staying with me for a few days, and I’m making all your favorite dishes!”
She didn’t give me a chance to refuse, heading to the kitchen to prepare a feast.
Watching her busy herself, I couldn’t help but smile.
I couldn’t say no to her, so I agreed to stay a few more days.
When the time came to leave, I said goodbye reluctantly.
“Aunt, I really have to go. I’m flying back to Miami for the wedding in three days.”
Fighting back tears, she nodded, pressing a substantial amount of cash into my hand.
“I have three surgeries that day; I can’t come. This is a small gift. Lanie, be happy.”
My eyes welled up.
I accepted the money respectfully.
“I will, Aunt. Grandpa chose him; you should have no worries.”
The elevator doors opened, revealing Ethan and Mason flanking Qiana.
They saw me tearfully bidding my aunt farewell, their hearts sinking.
‘Lanie, Aunt… what’s wrong? Why are you crying?”
I wiped my eyes, remaining calm.
‘Nothing. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen Aunt. I’ll miss her when I’m gone.”
Ethan and Mason visibly relaxed.
“Well, you’re both in LA. You can see her anytime you want,” Ethan said.
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My aunt knew they were still in the dark.
She looked like she was about to spill the beans, but I quickly changed the subject, turning to Qiana.
“What are you guys doing here?”
Ethan and Mason, clearly flustered, started to explain.
“It’s Mid-Autumn Festival. Qiana was alone, so we brought her here to celebrate with us.”
“Yeah, don’t get the wrong idea. We called you, but you didn’t answer,” Mason added.
Their panic was understandable.
Every Mid-Autumn Festival, they’d fought over who got to take me home.
The boy who took you home for this family-centric holiday implied they’d chosen their wife.
I’d always ended up going to Ethan’s family’s home, and then to Mason’s.
This year, they’d brought Qiana.
The meaning was clear.
I didn’t call them out on it.
“Okay, that’s nice. Enjoy yourselves. I’m going to finish packing.”
I started to leave.
Ethan and Mason called out to me.
“Lanie!”
“Lanie!”
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