CHAPTER 61

CHAPTER 61
Lance

I walked into the house and was immediately greeted by the smell of food.

Olivia was sprawled across the couch, clutching the remote like her life depended on it. I walked past her without a glance, deliberately ignoring her, hoping to get a reaction.

She didn’t disappoint.
“How nice,” she yelled. “Just walk past like the jerk that you are.”

I didn’t look back. I knew that would annoy her more, and honestly, I couldn’t care less.
I headed upstairs and nearly collided with Mila. She was walking toward me, her head bent over her phone, a smile playing on her lips. The moment she heard my footsteps, she looked up—and the smile vanished, as if it had never existed.

She slowed her steps, suddenly nervous.
“Hi…” she said, her voice unnaturally high, that fake cheerful tone girls used when they were anxious.

I walked past her without responding and went straight to my room. I didn’t miss the quiet “Asshole” she muttered under her breath.

“Are you going to eat or what?” Olivia asked coldly when I returned downstairs.
I ignored her, my attention fixed on my phone.
She snatched it from my hand and switched it off before shoving it into her clothes.

“Are you crazy, Olivia?” I snapped.
I heard Mila snicker. I shot her a cold stare, and she immediately dropped her gaze to her plate like it was the most fascinating thing in the world.

“Olivia,” I warned.

“Drop the big-guy attitude and eat,” she said with a smile. “Mila spent hours cooking this.”

My eyes darted to Mila. She was looking everywhere but at me.

“That’s more reason not to eat it,” I said coldly. “Who knows if my angry wife has finally decided to poison me.”

Mila choked, coughing loudly. Olivia jumped up instantly, patting her back.

Olivia glared at me. I didn’t care.
I studied the food in front of me. Mashed potatoes and beef soup, arranged so neatly you’d think it was an expensive delicacy.
I picked up the spoon and took a bite.
My tongue tingled.

The food was sweet—unexpectedly so—and incredibly delicious. My empty stomach begged for more before I could stop myself.
“See?” Olivia said smugly to Mila. “He likes it.”

“Who says I like it?” I muttered.
“Of course you don’t,” Olivia laughed. “Yet you keep licking your lips like you’re in heaven.”

She chuckled before suddenly changing the topic.

“By the way, Lance, you have to come for our high school reunion.”

“You will come, right?” she pressed.
“I’m not going,” I said flatly.

“This time, you don’t have a choice,” she said with a grin. “Mila can come too. She is your wife.”

“I’m not going, Olivia. Don’t push it.”
“Who cares about your opinion?” she scoffed. “I’ll just tell Jade.”

“Olivia,” I warned.
“What?” She smirked. “Olivia this, Olivia that. I know you love me, but you have a wife now. Don’t make Mila jealous.”
She turned to Mila with a bright smile.

“You’ll come for the reunion, right?”
“Huh? I—I don’t… I mean, if Mr—if Lance is going, then I have to,” Mila stuttered awkwardly.

“Don’t worry,” Olivia said confidently. “He’s definitely going.”

She looked back at me. “You’ll come, right?”
I ignored her and focused on my food. My gaze drifted back to Mila. She was staring at me. The moment our eyes met, she looked away, smiling awkwardly at what Olivia said though I knew she hadn’t heard a word Olivia had said.

I frowned at her plate.
“Where are the greens in your food?” I asked.

“Huh?” she said, confused.
“Emily gave you the book, didn’t she?”

Her eyes widened, but she masked her reaction quickly.

“She did,” she said quietly.
“Then why is your food devoid of greens?”
“Who even says devoid in this day and age?” Olivia burst out laughing.
I glared at her. She raised her hands in mock surrender.

“Alright, carry on with your wife. I’m just the perfect third wheel.”

“Mila?” I asked again.
“I forgot,” she said quickly.

“You forgot?” I let out a humorless chuckle. “The one thing you’re supposed to do, and you forgot.”
She stared at me, clearly shocked by my tone.
“What are you now?” Olivia rolled her eyes. “The food police? Give the girl a break.”

“Why are you here again?” I snapped.

She scoffed. “If you must know, I’m here for my sister-in-law.” She smiled fondly at Mila.

“Don’t get used to her,” I said dismissively.
I stood up. “I’ll inform the kitchen to add greens to your meals. And don’t cook here again. Your food ruins my palate.”
I turned to Olivia. “We need to talk. My study.”


Mila

“Jerk,” Olivia muttered as Lance left the dining room.

I smiled at her, and she smiled back.
“I swear, if I had a husband like this, I’d choke him in his sleep,” she said.
I laughed. “Do you really Want me to choke your brother for you?”

She paused, considering. “Unfortunately, I love him too much. So you can’t.”
She sighed.

“I don’t get why he’s unnecessarily mean to you.”

"Maybe he doesn't just like me" I smiled

"And yet...he brought you in as his wife" she scoffed

I wondered about that too.
Yes, Lance was distant. He barely spoke to anyone. But with me, it felt different....like everything I did angered him.
And I didn’t understand why.