Chapter 21 - morning routine

"Morning Panic & Poison Talk"

Morning at the Devis mansion was peaceful.

Megan was cooking.

Lauran was helping, humming softly.

Mr. Devis read his newspaper with glasses low on his nose.

Mrs. Devis scrolled through her phone.

Steve typed furiously on his laptop.

Joseph argued on a business call.

Thomas, Justin, and Emily were preparing for school.

Jonathan read through files, trying to look serious.

Everything was normal.

Until Amber walked in.

The atmosphere shifted instantly.

---

🍳 Kitchen Chaos

Megan glanced toward the door… and turned pale.

Megan:

"She's here… girl, she's HERE." 😱

Lauran stiffened.

Lauran:

"Is she—?" 😱

Both women slowly stepped out, as if approaching a dangerous beast.

Megan:

"You say it." 😨

Lauran:

"F-Fine… may God protect me."

She cleared her throat and forced a shaky smile.

Lauran:

"Sis Amb—" 😨

Everyone's heads snapped toward them.

Everyone: 😱 "She called her Sis Amb—?!"

Lauran corrected herself fast—

like her life depended on it.

Lauran:

"I–I MEAN— Sister! Come eat with us! Breakfast is ready!" 😅

Amber remained expressionless.

Amber:

"No need. I already ate." 😐

Lauran blinked.

Lauran:

"H-Huh?" 😶

Megan frowned softly.

"We just finished cooking…" 😊

Amber shrugged, tone cold.

Amber:

"I ate at Natalie's house. Don't worry." 😐

Lauran nodded awkwardly.

Lauran:

"Oh… okay." 😶

(Please don't kill me today)

---

📰 The Father-in-Law Speaks

While everyone stared at Amber like she was a walking storm cloud,

Mr. Devis didn't even look up from his newspaper.

Mr. Devis:

"Why don't you want to eat here?" 😒

Amber's heels clicked against the floor as she walked past him.

She didn't turn around.

Amber:

"I don't eat food made by others."

Pause.

"I only trust my own cooking."

Her eyes slid to Mrs. Devis—

sharp, calm, deadly.

Amber:

"After all… no one knows who might poison a meal… or who won't." 😒

She said this, then continued toward Justin's room.

Everyone: 😱😱😱

(HOLY— She really said that! Out loud! To Mother-in-law!)

Mrs. Devis froze, gripping her phone tightly, face drained of color.

Jonathan peeked from behind his file with a look that screamed:

Jonathan:

"…Why is she like this so early in the morning?" 😨

Meanwhile—

Justin in his room:

"Sister? Breakfast?" 🥰

(Totally unaware of the war outside)

---continue