?Chapter 445:


    Finally, after all the noise and movement, Bryan’s belongings had overtaken the living room, boxes and bags strewn everywhere. I stood off to the side, watching the chaos unfold as the servants carried in more things, but I felt powerless to stop them. My hand instinctively went to my forehead as if that would somehow make it all go away. It was real—Bryan had officially moved in.


    By the time dinner rolled around, I was so embarrassed that I found it almost impossible to stay seated at the table.


    Bryan sat on my left, yton on my right, their faces dark as thunderclouds. The tension between them was suffocating, like a storm on the verge of breaking.


    My home had transformed into a battleground, and I was caught in the middle, fidgeting in my seat. Desperately, I wished I could call Evie to join us and lighten the atmosphere, but, of course, that girl was nowhere to be found.


    “Traitor,” I cursed under my breath, forcing a tight smile to smooth over the awkwardness. “Let’s eat before the food gets cold,” I suggested, trying to sound cheerful.


    My words seemed to work—somewhat. Bryan and yton, after exchanging a cold nce, finally started eating, each one moving with a level of grace that only made their rivalry more evident.


    Just as I allowed myself a breath of relief, they both reached out simultaneously, cing food onto my te.


    I froze mid-bite. Seriously? Now?


    Their eyes locked onto me, as if this was yet another unspokenpetition, waiting to see which offering I would choose. I swallowed nervously, ncing down at the neatly arranged food. My hand moved toward the food yton had given me.


    “Hmm?”


    Bryan’s low, dangerous voice rumbled through the space, freezing me in ce. His gaze held a clear message—choose wisely.


    I quickly retracted my hand, my heart racing as I reached for the fish Bryan had ced on my te instead. But before I could pick it up, yton’s soft sigh echoed in my ear,ced with disappointment.


    My hand hovered in mid-air, torn between the two of them. I felt like a puppet in some absurd drama, helplessly stuck between their quiet power struggle.


    Before I could decide, the door burst open with a loud thud. Alice stormed in, looking furious.


    “Makenna! You won’t believe what that goddamned Hayley just did—” she started, obviously wanting to vent about something, but then she noticed the steely pair of princes and froze.


    “Oh. Uh… ha-ha… I, uh, just remembered I have something else to do…” Her awkwardugh rang out as she backpedaled toward the door, clearly eager to flee the tense atmosphere.


    No way. Not today. She wasn’t getting away that easily. “Alice!” I jumped up and grabbed her arm before she could escape. “You’re not going anywhere. Join us for dinner!”


    Alice’s eyes widened in horror. “No, no! I’m good, I’ve already eaten!” She waved her hands frantically, trying to wiggle out of my grip, her smile as strained as a tightrope about to snap.


    “Nonsense. Evie’s cooking is amazing. You should have more.” I wasn’t giving her a chance to protest. I practically dragged her to the table, forcing her into a seat. I handed her a te, then a knife and fork for good measure, my determination to make her stay irond.


    With Alice now stuck beside me, I finally rxed a little. At least I wasn’t alone in this awkward mess.


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