"Well, if it isn''t my dear sister!"


    Suzan was just about to head inside when she caught sight of Effie out of the corner of her eye.


    She called out, smug and loud, "Sister, you here for sushi too? The line''s pretty long today—it''ll be ages before you get a table."


    Suzan paused, then added with feigned generosity, "But hey, if you don''t mind, you could tag along with me and my son and skip the wait."


    Mitchell''s gaze drifted over Suzan''s shoulder,nding on Effie.


    He hadn''t seen her in a while, and somehow she looked even better than before.


    A pang of resentment twisted in Mitchell''s chest. How was it that Effie could leave him behind and end up doing just fine-maybe even happier than she''d ever been with him?


    "Why does it smell so awful in here?" Nita suddenly broke the tension.


    Effie nodded. "Yeah, it really reeks."


    Nita wrinkled her nose. "It''s like wet dog. I''ve lost my appetite before I even sat down."


    "Let''s get out of here," Effie suggested.


    "Absolutely, let''s go."


    With that, Effie and Nita strode off, heads held high. Watching them leave so cheerfully, Suzan was practically shaking with rage.


    She stamped her foot, shrieking, "Ugh! They''re driving me crazy!"


    When Mitchell didn''t react, Suzan shot him a re. "Why didn''t you stand up for me?"


    Mitchell''s patience finally snapped. He frowned at Suzan and said, "What exactly did you want me to do? Get into a shouting match with them? Admit you''re a homewrecker? Sometimes, the best thing to do is keep quiet."


    If Suzan had really thought she could hold her own, she would''ve spoken up back there instead of sulking in silence.


    And now she was taking it out on him?


    "But I''m the mother of your child. You just watched them bully me and didn''t say a word? Shouldn''t you have defended me?"


    Mitchell noticed people starting to stare, a few even raising their phones to record the scene.


    He muttered, “Let''s go. Stop making a spectacle of yourself."


    "I''m not going anywhere! I didn''t do anything wrong-why should I leave?" Suzan snapped, stamping her foot again.


    Mitchell''s scowl deepened, his patience worn thin. "Do whatever you want."


    Without another nce, Mitchell turned and walked away, not sparing Suzan a single look.


    Suzan red after him, her face so tense it looked like she might burst into tears or bite through her own lip.


    She''d seen how Mitchell used to grovel and fuss over Effie-never mind what they were fighting about, he''d do anything to win her back. He was humble, almost desperate.


    But he''d never done that for Suzan. All she ever got was the cold shoulder and his bad moods.


    Her eyes burned as she choked out, "Would it kill you tofort me for once? Just once?"


    Turns out, love—or theck of it was painfully obvious.


    Not that Suzan was ready to admit it.


    She drew a shaky breath, wiped her eyes, and hurried after him, calling, "Mitchell, wait up!"


    Effie and Nita ended up at a cozy little noodle shop-the same one Shirley had brought Effie to a while back.


    "I told you, lunch is on me. Stop worrying about the price," Nita said, waving off Effie''s protests.


    Effie smiled. "I wasn''t trying to save you money. I just really love the noodles here. I suddenly had a craving."


    If that was what Effie wanted, Nita wasn''t about to argue.


    Their order arrived: steaming bowls of thick, savory broth with hearty noodles and


    an assortment of seafood nestled on top. The aroma was mouthwatering, and both women dug in with relish.