Chapter 3 Some Things Aren't Worth Keeping

Wren bit her lip and picked up the sheet of paper.

As soon as she read the heading, her face showed just enough surprise. "Austin... is this an application to add a co-owner to the property?"

Her voice was soft, but still loud enough for everyone at the table to hear.

She held the document out to him.

Austin's eyes flicked from the page to the Porsche key lying on the carpet. Instantly, the tightness in his shoulders melted away.

Just like that, the embarrassment from my father's toast was gone.

He didn't take the paper from Wren. Instead, he adjusted his cuff and turned to me with a patient smile, like someone dealing with a stubborn child.

"Lily, your parents even have the car key ready. Are you really still upset with me?"

His voice was gentle, almost indulgent.

I didn't answer, keeping my eyes fixed on the table before me.

"Is this still about Wren trying on the bracelet?"

Austin sighed, poured me a glass of water, and gently slid it toward me.

"She just graduated. She's young and just eager to try out new things. She got curious and tried it on." He gave me a small, coaxing smile. "You're older than she is. Don't turn everything into a fight with her, okay?"

I looked at the glass but didn't touch it.

Instead, I reached out and took the document from Wren's hand.

The damp stain on the edge had already blurred Austin's name, leaving a mark on the paper. I held it between two fingers, folded it once, twice, and tore it straight down the middle.

The sound broke the silence at the table.

Austin's smile faltered.

Wren froze.

I tore it into itty bitty pieces, dropped them on the small plate next to me, and took a wipe and cleaned my fingers. "It got wet and dirty. I don't want it anymore."

Austin looked at the torn paper and chuckled. Then, he shook his head with an affectionately indulgent look, as if finding me irresistibly cute in my stubbornness.

"You really are getting more temperamental."

His tone stayed warm. He didn't even sound angry.

"It was just a copy. It's fine if you want to tear it up. We can print another one tomorrow."

I said nothing, simply laying the wipe over the torn pieces.

Right then, my mother bent down and picked up the Porsche key from the carpet. She carefully wiped off the dust with her silk handkerchief, placed it back inside her purse, and zipped the purse shut.

The sound was sharp and final.

My mother said mildly, "Hm, Lily has never liked touching things once they're dirty."

Austin glanced at her purse and smiled, as if he found the whole situation amusing.

"Fine. Today's your day. You can do as you wish." He stood and fastened his jacket. "It's getting stuffy in here. Want to step outside for some air?"

He turned and headed toward the balcony without even waiting for an answer.

I stayed where I was for a moment, watching his back.

Then, I stood and followed him.

Austin closed the glass door behind us, shutting out most of the noise from the living room. A cool late-fall breeze swept across the balcony.

He turned to look at me, his tone softening. "Lily, We'll be getting married soon."

He paused and gave me a look that said as if what he was about to say should have been obvious.

"Wren is someone I supported through school. She's like a sister to me. You're going to be the mistress of this house, so please try to be more understanding with her instead of taking things personally all the time."

He looked straight into my eyes, every trace of irritation gone.

Now there was only patience, the kind people had when they believed they were the reasonable ones.

"What happened today was her fault," he said further. "She should've been more tactful. Still, she's a guest. What we do in private is one matter, but you need to know how to behave in public."

His voice softened further.

"So, give her a smile when we go back inside. Don't make things any more awkward than they already are."

His voice carried no anger or accusation.

That was the strange part.

Austin genuinely believed he was being fair.

To him, this wasn't even worth arguing about.