Chapter 3

But Janetta could stay at his place now and then after getting drunk. Whenever I asked about it, Theodore would just brush me off.

"Janee and I grew up together. We're closer than siblings. In fact, we're practically family, so those rules don't apply to us," he used to say.

When we reached his place, his mother, Marguerite, greeted us warmly. She welcomed both Janetta and me equally, and kept saying how delicious my handmade egg tarts were.

Janetta's smile started to look strained.

Once inside, Theodore immediately started peeling an orange for her. When he caught my eye, he paused momentarily before offering me a few pieces.

I felt a wave of disgust at his insincerity.

In the past, no matter what food he offered me, I would still force myself to eat it even if I hated it. But now...

"I don't like oranges. You don't have to give me any," I said offhandedly.

Theodore's hand froze in mid-air. He swallowed back his anger and stopped himself from lashing out at me for throwing a tantrum, at least not in front of his mother.

"Sheri, yesterday was your birthday, wasn't it? You young people really know how to have fun. We old folks simply can't keep up," Marguerite said with a hearty laugh.

Janetta feigned surprise, but the look of glee was unmistakable in her eyes. "Gosh! Was it your birthday yesterday, Sheri? I feel so bad. Theodore was making pottery with me, and he even gave me a super ugly mug. I was so mad at him!"

Theodore ignored Janetta and just stared at me. After a while, he finally said, "I got caught up in too many things and totally forgot your birthday. How about we throw you a birthday party today to make up for it?"

Marguerite's eyes swept back and forth across the three of us, but she didn't say a word.

I turned Theodore down without mercy. "No need to go to all that trouble. I'm not like some little girl who looks forward to celebrating my birthday every year."

Theodore looked like he wanted to say something else, but his mother quickly steered the conversation away.

"Sheri, girls as clever and skillful as you are a real blessing for Theodore. You know, I saw those popular snacks online recently. I tried making them myself, but I'm too clumsy. Sheri, do you think you can make some for me?" she waxed obsequiously.

I answered without hesitation, "Sorry, Marguerite. I've been swamped with work lately. Maybe next time."

Theodore frowned at once. Just then, Marguerite's phone rang. She answered, and her face instantly became worried.

She turned to me anxiously, "Sheri, I don't know what Terrence has done this time, but the school wants to talk to his parents. I have a party I need to get to early, and can't go to his school. Could you go on my behalf?"

She then grabbed her bag and headed for the door. As I had already rejected her request to make those snacks for her, I couldn't say no again. Therefore, I could only nod reluctantly.

But inwardly, I told myself this would be the last time. After I cleaned up Terrence's mess this time, I would be done with this family for good.

Theodore got up with a concerned look. "I'll go to the school with you. If things get troublesome, you won't have to deal with it alone."

I almost laughed out in disdain. That brat's own big brother was sitting right here, yet they were making me, an outsider, play the role of the parent.

"I have to use the bathroom for a while," I said quickly.

For some reason, Janetta decided to follow me. "Me too! I wanna go too!"

I wasn't sure if she meant she was tagging along to the school or just to the bathroom.

After I was done and stepped out, Janetta confronted me at once. "Sherilyn Payne, don't tell me you haven't figured it out yet? The Holloways are just using you as their free nanny. They never planned for you and Theo to get married. And Theo is just stringing you along with his many excuses. Why are you still clinging to him so shamelessly?"

I tilted my head and chuckled softly. "Oh, so you desperately want to be their nanny in my stead? You even jumped at the chance to help Theo's dad look for antiques."

Angry jealousy flashed briefly in Janetta's eyes, but she sneered next. "We'll see who ends up as the Holloways' daughter-in-law in the end."

With that, she also tagged along with Theodore and me to Terrence's school.

During our nine years together, Terrence went from a seven-year-old elementary school kid to a sixteen-year-old high school kid. The trouble he kept getting into also became more serious. In the past, he only got into fights where he smashed a classmate's skull with a rock. This time, he sexually assaulted a girl in the woods, which led to the victim killing herself by jumping off a building.

The evidence against the boy was irrefutable. However, since he was a minor, he was only sent to a juvenile detention center.

My head was spinning as I took in all this. Theodore had a grim look as I eventually told him, "I can't deal with this. You're his real-life older brother. You'd better take charge."

He didn't try to evade his responsibility. But Janetta hid behind him and whispered, "Theo, maybe I should just head back first..."

Just then, we heard an enraged voice. "You're that son of a bitch's sister, aren't you? Bring my daughter back!"

Following that, a gleaming blade flashed toward Janetta. She went ghostly pale, and in a panic, she shoved me toward the blade to shield herself.

Horrified, Theodore yelled out, "Sheri, no!" Then, he tried to push me out of harm's way.