ra turned to look at Sarah, her expression all serious. Sarah swallowed hard, suddenly feeling too nervous to meet ra''s eyes. It was like ra could see straight through her. But then she thought of Megan and found her courage. "I''m going to marry Ryan soon, and he''s already said he''ll marry me. Isn''t it normal for us to live together? And technically, I should be calling you ''sister,'' right?"


    The word "sister" made ra feel sick. She couldn''t be bothered to argue and just walked into the apartmentplex. Sarah was left standing at the gate, fuming. "If you won''t let me in, I''ll just ask Ryan. He cares about me and will definitely let me in!"


    ra felt a tight knot in her stomach, which got worse when Ryan called an hourter, asking if Sarah could stay at the vi to rest. ra had been looking forward to a quiet holiday with her brother, but now she wasn''t so sure.


    "Do whatever you want," she replied.


    "ra, are you mad?" Ryan asked cautiously, his voice low. "Sarah''s family situation is tough. Her parents have always favored her brother and wanted to marry her off for his benefit. She has nowhere else to go."


    ra didn''t want to hear it. She took a deep breath. "Do what you think is best."


    "ra, can we still have dinner together over the holidays? It''s been ages since west ate together."


    Her heart ached a little. "Sure."


    “?


    Ryan''s eyes lit up. “I just finished a new book. I''ll be waiting for you to pick me up!"


    ra didn''t respond and hung up. She felt overwhelmed. The project wasn''t going well, and now her brother was causing more stress. She took a deep breath and pulled out a bottle of wine, hoping for a quiet evening. But just then, the doorbell rang. It was Scarlette at the door.


    Scarlette was all dressed up, holding a bunch of fancy fruits. "ra, it''s my mom''s birthday today, and I''m heading to the Greenard family for dinner. These are imported fruits from a business partner. I don''t have time to eat them, so they''re yours."


    There were so many bags, filling up the doorway. "I can''t eat all of these..."


    But before ra could finish, Scarlette''s phone rang. She patted ra on the shoulder. "Share them with friends if you can''t finish them. I''m off to the Greenard family tonight and then on a business trip. I won''t be back for a week. It''d be a shame for them to spoil."


    She said this while heading to the elevator, answering her phone. Nichs was calling.


    ra dragged the fruit boxes inside. She didn''t have many friends, just Megan and Kaitlyn. She called Megan first, asking if she was home so she could send over some fruit.


    Megan thanked her warmly and asked, "ra, have you figured out your holiday ns? How about bringing your boyfriend along, and we can all have dinner together?"


    The holidays were barely ten days away. "I''ll ask him if he''s up for it."


    Megan''s tone was calm, but her eyes darkened a bit. "You''re really good to your boyfriend."


    What kind of guy was he that ra kept him such a secret?


    "I love him; it''s just how it is."


    *


    Scarlette reached downstairs to find Nichs already waiting in the car. He wore a sleek watch, his fingers casually resting on the steering wheel. His eyes lit up when he saw her. She tried to open the back door but found it locked. Nichs just smirked, so she got into the front seat. As soon as she buckled in, Nichs hit the gas.


    The drive was silent, which felt odd. It wasn''t until they reached the Greenard family estate that Scarlette rxed a bit, seeing the Greenard parents waiting outside.


    "Dad, Mom."


    Rose, in an elegant outfit and a jade pendant, smiled warmly. "Wee home. It''s great to see you."


    Scarlette was ushered inside by Rose, with Nichs tagging along. "Scarlette, the holidays areing up. Didn''t you get me a gift?"


    Rose pped him yfully. "Mind your manners. You should call her ''sister."


    Nichs shrugged and walked ahead. Scarlette felt uneasy, but dinner went smoothly, and everyone was enjoying themselves afterward, watching TV.


    Rose casually asked about Scarlette''s boyfriend. "When will you bring him over? I heard he''s a college professor. You''ve always liked mature men."


    Scarlette was peeling an orange, about to eat it, when Nichs snatched it away. Rose scolded him. "You''re so unruly. Your behavior causes rumors about Scarlette!"


    No sooner had she spoken than the room suddenly went dark. A power outage? Before Scarlette could react, Nichs pressed her head down, and the orange slice he''d taken was passed from his mouth to hers. The taste spread between them.


    She instinctively pulled back. Was he crazy?! Her parents were right there!


    In the darkness, their breaths mingled, and she suddenly realized the stark difference between men and women.


    "Nichs..." she whispered, terrified the lights would flicker back on and expose this embarrassing scene to everyone.