My Husband Accused My Family of Stealing His Mother’s Gift Chapter 04

My Husband Accused My Family of Stealing His Mother’s Gift Chapter 04

Tyler froze for a moment. Then he draped his apron over one arm and forced a grin.

“Adrian, you didn’t have to spend money on a fancy dinner. Dad said all he wanted was for me to cook a few dishes and have a couple of drinks with him. You and Sienna work hard for your money. There’s no need to go to a hotel restaurant.”

“The dinner isn’t for your father’s birthday,” Adrian cut in impatiently.

“It’s Noah’s going-away dinner. His university moved up the start of its winter term, so he’ll be leaving the country in a few days.”

Tyler’s smile froze on his face. He rubbed the back of his head and let out another awkward laugh.

“Oh. I see. You could’ve told me earlier, though. I already made all this food.”

He glanced at the table full of food, a note of protest still in his voice.

“Does it have to be today? Couldn’t you stay for Dad’s birthday first?”

Adrian said nothing.

Noah walked past with his bag and deliberately knocked his shoulder against Tyler’s.

“Your dad is already sixty. Who still makes such a big deal about birthdays at his age?”

Tyler had not expected him to be so openly disrespectful. His fist tightened instinctively as he stepped forward.

“Say that again.”

Mom shot Tyler several sharp warning looks. Only then did his shoulders slowly slump.

Noah gave a smug little snort, walked to the front door, and started putting on his shoes.

Linda rose and smoothed the front of her silk dress.

Maya stood as well and used a napkin to polish the ring on her finger.

Adrian turned to me.

“Sienna, you’re coming with us.”

Only then did Dad rise from his chair. His eyes were red as he forced out a smile that looked more painful than tears.

“Yes, Sienna. You should go with them. Noah is leaving the country soon, and he may only come home once a year. A young man leaving for college matters far more than an old man like me.”

Linda stood by the door, staring at me.

Adrian extended his hand as though Dad’s words had settled the matter and left me no choice but to follow him.

I bit my lower lip and reminded him one final time.

“Adrian, today is my father’s sixtieth birthday. You promised me.”

By then, Adrian had completely lost his patience.

“Haven’t I already stayed long enough?”

“I didn’t even go to my mother’s for Thanksgiving because I stayed here to keep your father company. What more do you want from me?”

Those two sentences finally made me see him clearly.

What he called keeping my father company meant standing by while Maya called Dad a thief in front of everyone.

It meant letting Linda feed Coco the crabmeat Dad had spent all morning picking out without taking a single bite himself.

It meant bringing gifts for everyone except the man whose birthday we were supposed to be celebrating.

It meant never bothering to tell us his plans, leaving Tyler to work all day, and then simply walking out.

Adrian had known all along that my family was being humiliated.

He simply believed that their humiliation was justified and that they deserved to endure it.

I said nothing. I quietly answered, “Fine,” and followed him toward the door.

Thinking I had finally backed down, Adrian released a long breath of relief.

Linda ordered me to carry Noah’s coat. She also told me to bring the rest of the crabs so Coco could eat them at the hotel.

I agreed to everything, picked up both items, and silently followed behind them.

Once the guests had gradually left and Adrian’s group stepped into the hallway, I hurled the coat and the bag out after them.

Then I slammed the door and locked it.

I turned to the people still inside.

“Mom, Dad, Tyler, I’m spending Thanksgiving right here with you.”