Our So-Called Breakup Chapter 05

Our So-Called Breakup Chapter 05

On the way home, Kenneth stopped to buy a mountain of wedding decorations.

“Are you getting married and didn’t tell me?” I teased.

The question hit a nerve. ‘He went on the defensive instantly.

“Who says you have to be getting married to buy this stuff? Liv, you’re an educated person. How can you say something so ridiculous?

“These stand for happiness, good luck, and warding off danger. They represent hope. I bought them specifically to bring Emmy some luck.”

Kenneth glared at me, deeply offended, as if I’d just said something incredibly cruel.

I shut my mouth.

Whatever.

He could do what he wanted.

When we finally got back to the house, I went to the bathroom to wash up. By the time I came out, he had stripped my bed and replaced everything with a full wedding-themed set.

A massive “Just Married” banner printed right across the middle was staring me in the face.

-Kenneth gave me an eager, fawning smile.

“You’re my sister. I couldn’t just leave you out and play favorites with Emmy.”

Was there something actually wrong with him?

Forget it. He meant well.

Seriously, was he okay?

He meant well.

Was he… losing it?

I wrestled with myself for a long time before I finally swallowed my frustration. I chose to be patient, for the sake of what little family feeling I had left.

I forced a smile and yanked the door open.

“Leave.”

“Alright, alright, I’m going.”

Kenneth scurried off, hugging an armful of decorations.

When I woke up the next morning, I found the living room completely decked out in balloons and ribbons.

I just stared.

If we hung up a wedding portrait, the place would be a dead ringer for

a bridal suite.

>But Kenneth had an airtight excuse for every last ribbon; no matter

how hard I grilled him, his logic was infuriatingly sound.

Emmett, gullible as always, immediately took Kenneth’s side.

Standing in the kitchen, cracking ten eggs for a massive omelet, he announced, “It looks nice. The house feels more festive.”

He had somehow dug up a set of vintage wedding-themed pajamas. Happy Newlyweds was splashed across the chest, right next to a tacky, glaring cartoon of a bride and groom kissing.

Those pajamas were literally older than I was-my parents bought them the year they got married.

When Vincent showed up, the first thing he saw was our makeshift wedding reception.

Next, he spotted Emmett putting away a ten-egg breakfast to rebuild his strength.

Vincent shot him a look. “You seem to be recovering well,” he noted dryly.

I had to bite my tongue to keep from making a sarcastic crack about his successful delivery of a healthy, bouncing baby.

Spotting Vincent, Kenneth immediately hurried over to kiss up.

“Colonel Rowley, what brings you by today?”.

“Just came to check on our patient, and I brought a gift.”

>He set the box he was carrying on the table.

It was supposed to be a large box of health supplements.

But the words “Beauty and Skincare” were stamped in massive, bold letters across the cardboard, right above the slogan, “Women, love yourselves.”

Vincent shot me a quick glance, then looked away.

I knew the brand; they exclusively made high-end women’s skincare.

He claimed he was here for the patient, but he’d obviously come to bring me a gift.

A genuine wave of happiness washed over me.

I reached out to grab it, but Emmett snatched it first.

He spun around, clutching the pale pink box to his chest.

“I feel so pampered,” he announced.

I was speechless.

Vincent looked just as dumbfounded.

Humming to himself, Emmett headed back into the kitchen. He whipped up a few more poached eggs and started on some scrambled

eggs.

Exasperated, I swatted his arm.

“What are you eating all this for? Trying to produce breast milk?” I

-demanded.

“I am a recovering patient,”Emmett replied, completely deadpan.

Vincent shot a brief look toward the kitchen before turning back and taking a seat next to Kenneth.

“How was your sister after your brother-in-law got home last night?” he asked.

Kenneth lied without missing a beat.

“My sister felt so bad for him. She stayed up late taking care of him, worried he’d be in pain.”

Vincent lowered his head a fraction. “Are things going well between

them?”

Kenneth nodded eagerly.

“They worked together for years and always got along. Their relationship has only gotten better since the wedding.”

Vincent pinched the bridge of his nose, his expression darkening.

“Did your sister ever mention another guy… an ex-boyfriend, or anything like that?”

Kenneth covered his mouth to hide a smirk, acting like the ultimate authority on my personal life.

“My sister and my brother-in-law were each other’s first loves.”

Vincent clearly couldn’t stomach another word.

>He stood up without meeting anyone’s eye. “I have things to do. I’m

leaving,” he announced.

Kenneth tagged right along behind him, playing the eager host.

“Colonel Rowley, I’ll walk you out.”

“That won’t be necessary.”

Looking ice-cold, Vincent yanked the door shut with a loud bang.

Kenneth just stood there, completely shut down.

Hearing the racket, I came out of the kitchen, but Vincent was already

gone.

The door had slammed so hard it rattled my nerves.

“Did you make him mad?” I asked Kenneth.

Kenneth shook his head blankly, totally oblivious to whatever he’d said to piss the man off.

My phone pinged.

I pulled it out and saw a text from Vincent.

“Come down.”

I set my phone down and mumbled an excuse about needing to run down and grab a package.

The second I stepped out of the elevator, someone grabbed my arm and yanked me out of sight.

→Vincent pulled me in tight, kissing me so hard our teeth clashed.

He bit my lower hip-hard enough to actually hurt-and the metallic taste of blood flooded my mouth.