Chapter 5

"Come on. Let's check if they accidentally removed your brain the last time you were hospitalized."

Josie's protests echoed down the hallway.

"My brain is just fine! Simon, let me explain. Having a stepmom has three major benefits! First, if Dad gets married, he'll stop nagging us about settling down.

"Second, I'll get her to sweet-talk Dad into passing the company down to me. That way, you can keep being a doctor, and I'll finally become the chairwoman. Everyone wins!

"Third, she's young, gorgeous, and curvy. If everything goes well, we'll have a baby brother by next year. The family legacy will be secured, and you won't even have to lift a finger!

"Isn’t it perfect—ow! Why'd you pinch me?! That hurts!"

…

As we left the hospital, a familiar car flashed past. I turned my head to look.

"Was that Logan?"

Josie remained unfazed. "No, you're seeing things. He's probably busy whispering sweet nothings to his first love in the bed. Why would he have time for you?"

I considered myself a calm and rational person. I planned to break up with dignity and grace. But after hearing that, I suddenly felt like dignity was out of the question.

So, I blocked Logan on everything.

Out of sight, out of mind.

Simon arrived home just minutes after us. The moment he stepped inside, he disappeared into his room to change. His expression was stone-cold the entire time.

It wasn't until Maria brought dinner to the table that he finally emerged.

Josie took one look at him and nearly jumped.

"Are you insane? Why are you dressed like that at home?"

Simon sat at the dining table, completely composed. He was dressed in a perfectly tailored suit, and his hair was neatly styled—looking every bit like an aloof, domineering CEO.

"Isn't this how I always dress?" he asked through gritted teeth.

Josie's lips twitched, but she didn't argue.

Just then, Josie's dad, Roman Lawson, came home. He greeted me warmly before sitting down at the table.

Simon eyed Roman's formal attire.

"Aren't you going to change? Don't you usually throw on an old T-shirt the second you step inside? You always go on about how uncomfortable suits are."

Roman glanced at me, then at Simon in his full formal wear, looking quite pleased. "It's rare for you two to bring a guest home. I figured I should at least look presentable."

Simon's lips twitched too.

With that, dinner officially began. Simon held his bowl with an air of superiority as he instructed, "Take the pork ribs away. They're too greasy."

Maria obediently moved the dish.

Then, Simon nibbled at his greens in small, refined bites.

Roman frowned and said, "Don't you normally refuse to eat vegetables? Didn't you say you can't survive without meat?"

Simon paused mid-bite. He looked toward Roman, who was neatly slicing his steak.

"Don't you usually eat your steak whole?"

Roman choked.

I hurriedly interfered, saying, "Honestly, I think that's a convenient way to eat it. I do that sometimes."

The tension in the air eased slightly.

Simon added, "Dad's favorite dish is grilled fish. He always spits the bones all over the table."

"Hey, are you out of your mind?" Roman gritted his teeth, threw down his cutlery, and stormed off. "You guys eat. I'm already full on anger!"

Josie kept her head down and focused on her food. She didn't dare speak or ask.

Maria was the one who finally broke the silence. "There's been a car parked outside the house for a while now. Not sure who they're waiting for. It looks like a… SUV?"

Simon immediately stood up. "I'll go check."

A moment later, we heard his voice from downstairs.

"Howard, get that car out of here. Tell them no one in this house ordered a ride and that they must've gotten the wrong address."