7
After Jake took Emma home that day, he didn’t come back for several days.
Ethan also happened to be away on a business trip, leaving the huge mansion suddenly empty.
I curled up on the couch watching a boring urban drama on TV.
Suddenly, the sound of a car engine shutting off came from the yard.
I didn’t pay attention, assuming it was Ethan returning.
Until the living room door opened and a man carrying a large bouquet of champagne roses walked in.
From a distance, his silhouette looked almost identical to Ethan’s.
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But as he came closer and the light fell on his face, I could tell the difference.
It was Jake.
He held the gorgeous roses out to me, his eyes containing an unfathomable test: “Pretty, aren’t they?”
“They are.”
His smile deepened as he pushed the flowers closer: “They’re for you.”
I didn’t take them, just looked up at him:
“You’re Jake, so don’t joke around with your sister-in-law like this.”
“Since mistaking you last time, I can tell you apart now. I wouldn’t dare make your brother angry again.”
Jake’s smile froze:
“Sister-in-law is indeed smart. These are for my girlfriend. I was just teasing you.”
As he lowered his head to adjust the bouquet, I caught a flash of disappointment in his eyes.
Jake casually placed the flowers on the cabinet by the entrance, then turned and walked to my side, his tal figure casting a shadow.
“Nicole, I’m hungry. Would you make me some noodles?”
This used to be our familiar routine.
Whenever he came home late after being out all night, I would make him a bowl of noodles to warm his
stomach.
“Sure.”
I turned off the TV and walked toward the kitchen.
Jake followed, leaning against the doorframe, watching me silently.
I expertly boiled water, added noodles, and cracked an egg.
The kitchen was filled only with the bubbling sound of boiling water, but the atmosphere was so tense it was
hard to breathe.
The noodles were ready.
I brought them to the dining room and placed them in front of him.
He picked up his chopsticks but didn’t immediately eat, just staring at the perfectly fried egg in the bowl.
“Have you… made noodles for my brother?”
I wiped my hands, saying calmly: “Not since coming back from the hospital.”
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His tense jawline instantly relaxed, and obvious joy spread across his eyes.
He finished that bowl of noodles completely, not leaving a drop of soup.
