Chapter 2

Chris said, "Take whatever you like, Aunt Carly, Mandy. Bella can't possibly use all of it, so you're really helping her out."

He turned to me. "Isn't that right, Bella? Just share your fancy stuff with them."

Seeing that I didn't respond, Chris coughed and started kicking me like crazy under the table.

I knew what he was getting at, but I couldn't stand freeloaders. I said, "I paid for these with my own money. Why should I just share with them?"

As soon as I said that, Carly frowned in displeasure.

She ripped the face masks off her and Mandy's faces and tossed them right in front of me, throwing shade without even bothering to hide it.

She snapped, "Mandy, how could you use Bella's stuff without permission? These masks are for rich girls like her, not for small-town brats like you.

"Can't you see she's upset? Come here and apologize."

Mandy let out a snort and rolled her eyes. "This is Chris's house, and she bought all those expensive skincare products with his money. Why should I apologize?"

She shot me a nasty glare, grabbed Carly, and stormed off to their room.

Before leaving, she even took two of my unopened essences.

The room was left with just Chris and me.

I forced down my anger and said, "Chris, you should ask Mandy and Carly to leave."

Before I could even finish, Chris blew up at me. "It's their first time here. Why the hell are you sulking like that? Do you look down on us small-town folks?"

That was funny. How dare he yell at me?

I snapped, "You brought them over without telling me, and you just let them take my expensive stuff. What the hell is that? Since when are you this damn generous?"

When Chris saw I was truly upset, his tone softened.

He said, "Babe, if I don't give in, they'll go back and tell everyone we're stingy people and that we look down on them. You might not care, but how are my parents supposed to face those relatives back home?"

I couldn't help but waver at his words. "Alright then. Once Carly is finished with her checkup, you need to send them home."

That was as much as I could give.

However, Chris started sulking and giving me attitude all over again.

Suddenly, I couldn't find the words to forgive. The man who used to cherish me now felt completely strange to me.

"Chris, are you fighting because of me?" Mandy poked her head in, her eyes red like she'd just been crying.

She sniffled. "I'm sorry for being rude. I don't need that skincare stuff anymore. Please don't fight over me."

Chris, who'd just been giving me attitude, quickly put on a smile and pulled me into his arms.

He said, "We're not fighting. Just keep it, okay? Don't worry. We're all good."

Mandy smiled, giving me a sly, almost taunting look. "Really?"

"Of course. When have I ever lied to you?" Chris kept shooting me glances, urging me to play along.

Thinking about all the years we'd spent together, I played along with him once again.

After sending Mandy off, Chris pulled out a menu he'd already prepared.

He said, "Bella, you know Aunt Carly is ill, so make sure all her meals are handled properly. From now on, this is the routine you need to follow."

I took a closer look and had to laugh. That wasn't food for someone recovering; that was the kind of stuff one served a VIP.

"I'm not doing this," I said, tossing the menu in his face before heading straight to my room.

"We're not even married yet. Don't expect me to play housewife already," I said.

The next morning, I was planning to sleep in, but before dawn, Carly barged into my room and ripped the blanket right off me.

She barked, "Do you know what time it is? Why aren't you up making breakfast? I've never seen anyone as lazy as you."

I didn't even get a chance to argue. I just begged her to give me back the blanket, since I was naked.

She shot me a look full of disdain, then tossed the blanket back at me.

She sneered. "What kind of proper woman sleeps naked? Is that how you try to seduce men? You really have no shame. I need to teach you some rules before you marry Chris and embarrass the Reed family."

I was beyond furious. I just snapped at her without holding back. "I'm only giving you respect because you're Chris's aunt. This is my place, and you have zero say here.

"Shut up, or just get out. Chris isn't that important to me. I can dump him and find someone younger and stronger right away."

Yelling at her didn't make me feel any better. I just wanted them all out of my house.

This was my place, and there was no way I was letting anyone treat me like a doormat.

I threw on some clothes and hauled her into the living room, but what I saw there totally shocked me.