Chapter 3

Harry and Rita froze.

I nearly jumped for joy, but I didn't let it show. I hurriedly took the bags of food from the deliveryman and carried them back into the apartment.

"The food's here! Let's all go back inside and feast while it's still fresh and hot!"

[What? That's just too much of a coincidence! They ended up staying after all!]

[Carol and Elliot are freezing their butts off! Their lips are turning purple! At this rate, something terrible is going to happen!]

[Shit, Carol's passing out!]

Everyone eagerly sat down at the huge dining table where the feast was spread out. Yet, Harry and Rita were still in the living room, glaring at the balcony door.

I waved them over. "Mom? Dad? Come eat. The food's fresh and steaming hot. We don't have to go out and suffer in the cold anymore. Isn't that just great?"

Rita turned to me and yelled, "Do you really think you're the head of this household, Alec Reynolds? When Carol comes back, I'm going to make her divorce you, you useless piece of shit! I don't want to see such an eyesore in my home ever again!"

I smiled coldly and ignored her as I began feasting on the food.

Harry and Rita were incredibly fidgety throughout the entire dinner. They would occasionally glance at the balcony door, the expressions on their faces getting darker and darker.

Nearly two hours later, dinner was finally over.

[Sure, you're all finally done with dinner, but Carol and Elliot are frozen stiff outside in the cold. Please just hurry up and leave! I'm begging you!]

[There's literal frost in their hair and eyelashes, and their faces are purple. They're going to be in massive trouble if this keeps up.]

[Oh my god, Alec, have some damn mercy on your wife!]

I smirked slightly.

Was there going to be oncoming trouble? That was music to my ears.

Harry jumped to his feet and began shooing people toward the door.

"Alright, chop chop, let's get out of the apartment! Carol found a nice place for us to hang out, so let's not waste her efforts and go there now!"

Benjamin and Petunia nodded. "Alright. Since Carol's went to the trouble, let's all just go out and have some fun."

I pretended to think about it. Then, I said, "You can all go ahead. I'll stay at home to wash and clean up. There are too many dirty dishes to fit in the dishwasher. I can't just let them sit out on the table for too long."

"Stop it with your act!" Rita exclaimed urgently, coming up to me and shoving me aside. "What do you mean by washing up? We can do the dishes when we come back later! It's Christmas! Are you seriously going to be a killjoy?"

This time, Petunia's face also darkened. "Your mother-in-law is right, Alec. It's Christmas, and we can't let you stay home alone while the rest of us go out. If anyone hears about this, they'll think we're mistreating you. Now hurry up and get ready. Let's go outside now. Don't be so stubborn."

[Alec's still trying to cause trouble, isn't he? Hurry up and get out!]

[Carol and Elliot have both passed out already! Even if everyone were to leave now, they still need to be rushed to the hospital!]

So, Carol and Elliot had passed out in the cold? But that was letting them off too easily. They deserved to freeze to death!

Everyone dressed warmly and headed toward the door.

"We'll come back and clean up later, Alec. We should all go out and have fun together on Christmas."

When Rita saw that I wasn't moving, she began shoving me again, yelling, "Are you deaf, Alec Reynolds? Hurry up and move!"

[Finally! They're leaving! Carol and Elliot are saved!]

[Go! Go go go!]

Harry was just about to grab the door handle when the door suddenly opened from the outside.

It was Connie Wilson, Carol's elder sister. She'd just come home.