Fiancée Wipes Childhood Friend’s Mouth at Gathering

Claire wiped Ryan’s mouth right in front of me.

Ryan looked me up and down with a hint of provocation in his eyes.

At the family dinner table, the atmosphere tightened into a brief, uneasy stillness.

I kept peeling the shrimp in my hand, as though none of it concerned me.

Ryan spoke first.

“Sorry, everyone. Please do not mind us. Clairy had always been this thoughtful.”

Who asked him. I almost laughed.

Ever since Claire and I got engaged, was I not the one doing all the accommodating. Thoughtful. That word did not suit her at all.

I finally understood when I looked at Ryan’s vaguely familiar features.

Claire tended to him gently, while he leaned in closer on purpose, lifting his gaze to me with open provocation.

I only found it childish and turned to Claire with a faint smile.

“Since she was so thoughtful, I could not fall short on courtesy either.”

I placed the shrimp I had just peeled onto Chloe’s plate, wiped my hands clean, then draped my jacket over her shoulders.

“Do not catch a chill, Chloe.”

My fiancée’s hand remained frozen in midair. The tissue crumpled slightly in her grip.

Ryan arched a brow. His gaze swept between Chloe and me as he put on a playful smile.

“Adrian is quite attentive,” Chloe replied sweetly, wrapping herself in my jacket.

“Claire always said I was clumsy. You are much more considerate.”

Claire’s expression shifted, yet she quickly forced a gentle smile. “Chloe had always been spoiled since she was little. Do not indulge her too much.”

I slowly peeled another shrimp, dipped it in sauce, and brought it to Chloe’s lips. “She is family. It is only right.”

Ryan let out a soft chuckle. “Looks like things really changed while I was abroad.”

He glanced meaningfully at Claire. “You used to hate people touching your things.”

Claire set her cutleries down with a sharp clack.

The engagement ring on her finger caught the light, glinting coldly.

“I will go check on the soup.” Her skirt swayed as she rose to her feet.

Chloe blinked innocently. “Is Claire mad.”

Ryan leaned back, studying me with a sharp gaze.

“Interesting. Is this your way of getting even.”

I wiped my hands and met his eyes.

“You came a long way. Of course we should treat you well.”

From outside the dining room, the clatter of dishes echoed. It sounded louder and heavier than usual.

Chloe leaned in quietly toward my ear. Her warm breath brushed against my neck.

“Adrian, playing with fire can burn you.”

I lowered my gaze. A flicker of cunning flashed across the eyes of the seemingly innocent girl.

So I was not the only actor in this little play.

Ryan suddenly stood up. “I will go help.”

As he passed by me, he lowered his voice. “Do not get too confident. Some habits are bone‑deep.”

Soon, laughter drifted from the kitchen. Chloe’s cool fingertips rested on the back of my hand. “Claire always wanted the best. That included people.”

I turned my hand over and took hold of hers, catching the familiar scent of her perfume. It was the same one Claire used.

I understood.

In this carefully orchestrated performance, everyone had their own hidden agenda.

I looked toward the kitchen, where the glass door reflected the distorted silhouettes of the four of us, like a grotesque, fragmented puzzle.

“Soup is ready.” Claire returned, carrying a clay pot. Her smile was once again flawless.

Ryan followed behind her, holding her favorite floral apron.

I released Chloe’s hand and stepped forward to take the pot.

When our fingers brushed, her ring pressed painfully against my skin.

“Careful, it is hot.” Her voice was gentle, yet her eyes were cold as ice. “I simmered it for four hours.”

Chloe’s heel brushed lightly against my pant leg under the table.

As Ryan pulled out Claire’s chair, his hand rested naturally on her shoulder.

The soup bubbled, reflecting our calculating faces.

“Adrian, I heard you got promoted recently,” Ryan said casually, ladling himself some soup.

“Just a departmental adjustment,” I replied nonchalantly.

At the same time, I noticed Claire deliberately avoided the scallions Ryan disliked when she served him. It was a habit even I did not know.

Chloe suddenly chimed in, “Adrian was being modest. He was the youngest vice president in the company.”

There was an odd note of pride in her voice, like she was showing off something that belonged to her.

Claire’s hands, still holding her fork and spoon, paused for a moment. “Is that so. You never told me.”