The Murphy Family Dinner I exited the car without waiting for him, holding Ava’s hand as


    we headed inside.


    Meanwhile, Matthew followed us with a smile.


    Usually, he would have let me go in alone, especially in times like these.


    I knew he wanted to see if I was lying.


    I nced at the shoes on disy when we entered the shop.


    Matthew was watching me closely, waiting for me to embarrass myself.


    Surprisingly, the sales associate recognized me, saying, “Mrs.


    Hartz, are you here to pick up the shoes?” I smiled.


    “Yes.” “All right, let me get them for you!” She hurried into the storeroom and soon handed me a


    shoebox.


    “Size 8, brown!” I took the box, opened it to look inside, and handed it to Matthew.


    I thanked the sales associate as well.


    Matthew blinked in slight surprise as he took the box.


    He hugged me and thanked the sales associate.


    On the way back, he seemed unusually energetic, chatting nonstop.


    I simply responded with a few words.


    I barely ate during the meal.


    Firstly, the afternoon’s gallstone pain had me avoiding greasy foods.


    Secondly, sitting near Mnie ruined my appetite.


    Sitting with this family made me feel nauseated like never before.


    Matthew had been busy serving me while Mnie’s piercing gaze dug into me with displeasure.


    She finally couldn’t hold back and said, “Chloe, weren’t you less fussy when you ate at home? Why is it


    harder to please you than Ava now?” “Well, your brother always caters to you, right?” I smiled at


    Mnie.


    Her eyes narrowed as she scrutinized me.


    “What do you…mean?” I pushed the te of food Matthew had served me to her.


    “Nothing.


    I didn’t touch the food.


    You can have it.


    Just because your brother likes a certain dish doesn’t mean I have to like it, too.


    His taste is too heavy.” Then I looked at Matthew.


    “You better attend to your sister.


    I’ve been having galldder issues and am a little nauseous.


    I went to the hospital this afternoon, and the doctor warned me about my diet.” I noticed Matthew


    frowning, and he stopped his utensils midway to look at me ambiguously Mnie nced at Matthew


    and pushed the te away, muttering, I’m not picking up your leftovers.” I chuckled and purposely


    asked, “Really? What’s there to fear in leftover food? It’s not from a random +15 BONUS I inwardly


    mocked her.


    Mnie wasn’t willing to take my leftovers but was more than willing to take Matthew.


    I found it hrious when she said she wouldn’t eat my leftovers.


    Grace looked at Mnie and said, “With your temper and wits, who’d be able to tolerate you in the


    future?” “Well, if no one can, I won’t find anyone.


    I never nned on leaving this house.


    Text property ? N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    Is that a problem?” Mnie spoke with confidence.


    I almost burst intoughter when she spoke with such conviction.


    I wondered what Grace would think if she knew about the rtionship between her two children.


    “What do you mean by ‘won’t find anyone? You want your brother to support you for a lifetime?” Grace


    couldn’tprehend what her daughter meant.


    I smiled lightly instead of getting involved.


    Too much talk led to mistakes; it wasn’t time to reveal my intentions.


    However, pacifying wouldn’t work because someone on the table was relentless.


    1 “It’s never good news whenever youe here,” Mnie pointed at me, “Don’t think you’re one of us


    just because you married Matthew.” She sounded like the wife, and I was the mistress.


    I calmly looked at her and responded, “Are you talking about me?” “If not you, who else?” Mnie


    didn’t hold back.


    “Oh, I see,” I answered, putting down my utensils.


    The rest of the family stared at me nkly.