I gave him a curt nod, but not unaware of his piercing glare on Stella as she left. I chuckled softly.
With a sharp exhale, I forced my member to order; I can't let James know what was going through my body.
Phina excused herself to help in the kitchen, but I knew better. She was definitely going to confront Stella.
Just when we all settled into our chairs, a piercing scream cut through the hallway, forcing us to our feet, and we rushed to the scene.
Surprisingly, Phina was sprawled on the floor, her face cast in several shades of emotion—anger, pain, and shame.
Yet Stella, in her black dress, stood at the side with a large tray of dishes balanced in her hand. I added a few points together to come to a conclusion.
Phina's scheme backfired on her, but then how and why?
I was so engrossed in my deductions that I didn't offer any help, but who would have thought Stella did point it to me?
"Brother-in-law, hurry up and help her up," she had said. It sounded harmless, yet it had a hidden dagger beneath telling on my irresponsibility.
Her parents snapped their gaze to me in suspicion.
My fist instinctively clenched by my side, and I glared at her, but then her taunting smirk left me with no option of refusing.
My heart raced with fury that she dared to call me brother-in-law. Let's see how I teach her a lesson, I fumed.
Under her persuasion, I had to help Phina to the dining as we both settled down alongside the parents.
Seeing Emily ready to leave, I lowered my head to whisper to James, "Is she not joining us for dinner?" and she was called back.
When James suggested she sit down opposite me, my lips curled softly. At least, it can give me an opportunity to look at her, but I noticed Phina wasn't comfortable.
Her fist was clenched on her fork, but I paid her no mind. My heart thumped wildly as I stared at her sitting face to face before me… heat coursing through every vein in my body.
I found my attention trapped on her succulent lips as I watched her scoop food into her mouth.
Phina's next word snapped me out of my thoughts. "Sister, did you make the draft?" she asked calmly, a smirk on her lips.
Stella's hand flattered briefly before it settled. I quickly cut her off before she could answer. "What draft was that?" I asked, casting her a brief glance, but she lifted the cup to her lips and took a sip.
Phina continued to rattle about how she asked her to help her arrange the wedding.
"Is that true?" I asked no one in particular, but I was certain Stella understood me.
Hearing Phina confirm the answers I dread, my thoughts raced with surprise. "You know how to design?" I asked.
I never expected she could be adept in design; seeing the smile that played on her lips, I felt guilty and couldn't bring myself to ask her anymore.
But when James asked, she simply said she was learning from a tutorial. My shoulders sagged with relief as I tried to call Phina in order to use someone else.
I took a deep breath and decided to focus on the meal while stealing glances at her, but just then, I heard her mention she already had a suitor waiting for her.
"What suitor?" I asked in shock and disbelief.
James gave a simple excuse, "Someone showed interest in marrying her, so I let her go."
I swallowed hard, my heart raced, my thoughts spun. The meal became tasteless, my hand tightening on the fork just to suppress my fury.
But then she chuckled softly as she told Phina I was picky with food and preferred home-cooked meals.
I faltered as I lowered my head. I scooped food into my mouth, hoping that would distract the attention she was drawing to me, but I was wrong.
Everyone at the table had their gaze trained on me while she was busy with her meals.
No doubt, she had changed, she had turned manipulative, and I couldn't help but see her in a new light. She wasn't the meek woman I used to know.
The rest of the dinner dragged on in tension. Phina sulked, the elders glared, and Stella remained composed—almost untouchable like she had nothing to do with the situation.
She made sure to provoke Phina with her words. At some point, I lifted my gaze, and it met with hers, but the underlying challenge in the gaze left me stumped.
After a brief thought, I had to admit she prepares vegetable soups in a unique way, and the mood of everyone at the table soured.
Phina was distraught; his father and mother glared at me, and I had to placate her. I decided not to bother about the rest of the bickering between them.
After the meal, she stayed back to clear the table while I found an excuse and went over to her room.
I can't just let go—the fact that her parents had arranged a suitor for her doesn't go down well with me.
Quietly, I studied the room. It was smaller than a normal bedroom, more like a storage room. I sighed.
Over the time we have been together, she has always been careful not to let me into her room, nor would she spend the night with me.
The faint fragrance of her shampoo lingered in the air, calming my nerves. Her phone on the bed buzzed softly.
I bent down and picked up the phone, staring at the name ~Adrian~ as it flashed on the screen, my blood boiling with rage.
My mind spun with questions:
Who was Adrian?
How did they meet?
What was the relationship?
I had to find out and I guess that should be possible now. I swiped my finger across the phone screen.
"Hello," I said, but then there was no response.
I checked the phone screen; the call was still connected. "Who are you?" I asked.
"...."