Chapter 3

This was the first time I'd directly interacted with Asher.

He was undeniably handsome, barely in his early twenties, with those sly, captivating eyes that could charm anyone.

If I were a woman, I probably couldn't resist the urge to pull him into my arms.

But my attention was drawn to the prominent hickeys on his collarbone. It wasn't hard to guess what he and Genevieve had been up to last night.

Actually, I didn't even need to look. We all lived under the same roof, and I heard the noises from my room every night, loud and clear.

At Asher's call, Genevieve seemed to only just notice me. She turned her head, a clear look of displeasure on her face.

It seemed I really had interrupted their good time.

Knowing my place, I didn't go closer, just apologized from afar. "I was just going out to grab a bite. My apologies for disturbing you two. I'll leave right now."

However, my discretion wasn't accepted by Asher. I watched as he gently rubbed his cheek against Genevieve's hand, looking down pitifully. "Does Spencer dislike me? Why does he leave as soon as he sees me? Did I upset him somehow?"

Hearing this, Genevieve immediately soothed him with a kiss. "How could anyone in this world dislike my Asher?"

Then she glared at me fiercely. "Now, get over here and apologize to Asher!"

I obediently walked over, head bowed, trying to make my presence as minimal as possible, determined to be a silent background fixture.

"Gen, is it because I'm too ugly that Spencer keeps looking down and won't look at me?"

Asher seemed to want to make the atmosphere even more awkward, putting on another pitiful act.

He wrapped his arms around Genevieve's neck, ready to give an award-winning performance of despair.

"Nonsense! My Asher is clearly the most adorable boy in the world. Anyone who can't see how captivating you are must be blind!"

As she said this, Genevieve's gaze was fixed on me, making sure I knew the implied "blind person" was me.

That look wasn't new to me.

Years ago, when I first married Genevieve, the Sinclair family's eldest daughter, Isabelle, tried to assert her dominance by constantly provoking Genevieve in front of everyone.

After I subtly retaliated with a few sharp words, Isabelle became furious and raised her hand to slap me.

Back then, Genevieve was the one who stood in front of me, glaring fiercely at Isabelle, shouting, "No one is allowed to bully Gen's Spencer!"

The way Genevieve looked at Isabelle back then was exactly how she was looking at me now: cold, disgusted, and with a clear warning.

I just never imagined that the little girl who once said she'd protect me would now use the same method to protect someone else.