Chapter 99
I didn't sleep well last night, so I've been out of it all day.
I skipped the company meeting, and Nola bought me a bunch of food afterwards.
I couldn't get interested in anything. Just thinking about all the messy stuff waiting for me at home made me irritated. I started wondering if I was getting depressed again.
Faye called and kept pushing me to come home quickly. When I asked why, she wouldn't say—just told me to come straight home after work.
Worried that things were falling apart at home and concerned about my daughter, I left early.
Ever since Cleo and her son arrived, I felt like even Celestia was stressed out. She'd told me several times that we needed to be patient because Auntie Cleo was in a bad mood.
But just because she's in a bad mood doesn't mean the rest of us should be miserable too.
The moment I got to the front door, Indigo called. I declined it and rushed inside—I had a bad feeling something was really wrong.
"Cleo, all these clothes you bought today look amazing on you. You seem like a completely different person!"
Hearing Jessa's over-the-top flattery, I froze. Why was she at my house again?
Faye ran out when she saw me and grabbed my arm. "Blair, stay calm. Whatever you do, don't lose it."
What was there to lose it over? I just didn't know whether Cleo had invited her or whether Jessa had found a new way to contact Cleo.
After the birthday party, I thought Jessa would stay out of my face for a while. But now she was showing off right in my own home?
"When did she get here?"
"Not long ago. They went shopping this afternoon, and I heard them say they picked up Hayden together."
I patted Faye's hand. "Don't worry, it's fine."
Faye made a face. "Blair, I think Cleo's being kind of out of line. She knows you two have history, but she still brought her to the house."
"She really has no sense of boundaries."
I didn't hold back. Even though Cleo was Faye's sister, I was going to express how I felt. This was my home, and from any angle, Cleo shouldn't have brought Jessa here.
"Blair, why don't you just kick her out? We're about to have dinner—we can't let her stay for that, right?" Faye was completely done with Jessa.
I took a breath. "Let's see how it goes."
I walked into the living room and saw Cleo and Jessa trying on new clothes.
"Cleo, this dress really suits you."
Watching Jessa act so flatteringly was such a stark contrast to how arrogant she used to be. When she and her mother came to my house years ago, she wasn't this humble.
"You like it? It's yours then."
Cleo stuffed the clothes into her arms, and Jessa looked stunned.
All these years, Cleo, as my sister-in-law, had never given me anything. She only took from my house—whenever she saw something nice, she'd take it.
Her generosity toward Jessa felt almost mocking.
I treated her like family, but she didn't show me any respect. She knew about Jessa and Levi's past, yet she still brought her here to make me uncomfortable.
I'd been taking extra care of Cleo these past few days. I'd put up with her looking down on the gifts I gave her, but deliberately trying to disgust me like this—I couldn't take it.
"Blair, you're home!"
When Jessa greeted me, I almost threw up.
Turns out they were two of a kind. Cleo had cursed Jessa out the other day, but somehow they could still hang out together!
As for Jessa and me, we were like oil and water. Yet she could face me so calmly. She and her mother had stuck knives in me, and she kept twisting them over and over.
"She doesn't see you as a sister, so your sweet talk is useless." Cleo was back to treating me like before.
I could honestly say I'd treated her well these past few days. How did she turn out like this?
Was it because Levi wasn't home, so she was showing her true colors?
That night, she told Levi to cherish me, and I was actually touched. How could she turn around and bring Jessa home to spite me?
"Jessa, we won't keep you for dinner. Why don't you head home?" Faye stepped in for me.
Jessa's face clearly showed embarrassment. She looked at Cleo, waiting for her to speak.
"What are you talking about, kid? Since it's almost dinnertime, just stay and eat with us. It's just one more set of utensils."
Cleo wanted her to stay for dinner...
I felt bitter inside. This wasn't about one more set of utensils—this was about trampling my dignity. Eating with her, in my own home—how could I accept that?
"Cleo, I'm not a kid anymore, and I'm not stupid either. You two could go out to eat if you want."
Faye wasn't going to put up with them. She knew I couldn't have Jessa stay.
"Enough. Everyone, go eat. Faye, I'm telling you—she's my friend. Show some manners."
Cleo was turning it around on us.
"Cleo, do you think you're doing the right thing? This is Blair's house..."
"This is my brother's house, your brother's house. Stop running your mouth."
Just then, Celestia and Hayden came over, and Jessa put on a smile when she saw them.
"Celestia, long time no see! Is your injury better? Are you still practicing piano?"
Jessa tried to hug Celestia warmly, but Celestia stepped back twice, refusing to get close to her.
"Mom, I'm hungry. Let's eat."
"Exactly, the kids are hungry. Let's eat." Seeing Celestia there, Cleo figured I wouldn't kick Jessa out.
I was so annoyed. This was my home, but Cleo only called it Levi's house—clearly not considering me at all.
"Indigo, let me help you."
Seeing Indigo bringing out dishes, Jessa offered to help. She was really trying hard to stay for dinner.
But Cleo stopped her. "What are you doing? You're a guest. Sit down and eat."
"Mom, let's go eat."
Celestia tugged at my arm. I couldn't drag her into this unpleasantness. In the ten-plus minutes since I'd gotten home, I was about to explode.
I was the lady of the house, yet I felt like an outsider.
And Cleo could just make all the decisions.
"Okay."
I swallowed my anger and went to the dining room with Celestia.
Faye stomped her foot in frustration. "Blair, should I just kick her out? I'm not afraid of offending people."
"It won't work."
They were already shamelessly sitting down waiting to eat.
Cleo put a shrimp in Jessa's bowl. "Eat this. The shrimp at her house tastes way better than anywhere else. My brother loves it too."
"Levi does like this flavor." Jessa smiled.
"My brother just likes this taste—it's the taste of home. Also, I heard from Indigo that Blair originally came up with this recipe. She's just following it."
Faye kept emphasizing my position.
"This abalone soup is good too. You've gotten so thin lately—you should have some."
Jessa thanked her repeatedly. "Thank you, thank you, Cleo."