Chapter 7

Not long after the trip, James started pressuring me to go home with him.

"I can't wait to marry you, babe. I'm dying to make you my wife."

More like dying to kill me! I shivered.

I decided to turn up the heat on Poppy.

I made sure to bring James home while Poppy was there. I even invited all our aunts and extended family over to meet my boyfriend.

James showed up with expensive gifts and health supplements that instantly won everyone over.

Compliments flowed freely.

"In our whole family, Elisa is the most accomplished. She was brilliant in school, excels at work, and even her boyfriend is top tier."

"Exactly! James is such a catch. He's perfect for our Elisa!"

"I have to say, your mom raised two amazing daughters. I heard Poppy's engagement is settled too, right? How's that going?"

Poppy's expression darkened. She looked at Mom with reddening eyes.

Mom sighed. "Unfortunately, Poppy and the Gardner boy weren't a good match. He was too reserved. It just didn't work out."

One of the nosy aunts chimed in, "Maybe James knows some nice young men he could introduce to Poppy."

Poppy looked at James shyly.

James actually seemed to consider it. "What about Leo?"

Leo Jones was one of James's buddies from the trip. He was average looking, kind of chubby, and awkward.

Poppy shook her head. "No. Leo's not as good-looking as you."

James raised an eyebrow and pulled me close with a laugh. "Not many guys can compete with this face. Anyway, I'm already taken by your sister!"

After dinner, all the aunts left. I cleaned up the kitchen and once again heard Poppy whispering with Mom in her room.

"Mom, you still have one swap left, right? I want Elisa's boyfriend.

"Mom, please help me one more time!"

This time, Mom was firm. "No. James is too exceptional. You can't handle him. Have you forgotten what happened with that job?"

Poppy threw a tantrum. "How can you say that? I'm your blood daughter. Why don't I deserve the best? Elisa gets everything, yet I can't even get a good boyfriend?

"You don't even love me!"

Their voices grew louder. James stirred on the couch.

I had deliberately gotten him drunk earlier. He was not leaving tonight. I had him lie down on our couch.

I poured him a glass of water and set it on the coffee table before heading back to my room.

I ran into Poppy on her way out. She looked at James lying on the couch in obvious discomfort. "Elisa, you're making James sleep out here?"

I nodded. "He drank too much. He reeks! The couch is fine."

I calmly returned to my room and pulled up the feed of the security camera I had installed in the living room a while back.