[4]

What Ethan said left Auri stunned.

“I never said that,” she replied quickly. “I only asked Anna to keep the proper boundaries. And I thought she accepted that—”

“But the way you spoke earlier,” Anna cut in. Tears spilled down her cheeks again, her voice trembling. “It felt like I was the one creating an uncomfortable situation for you, Auri. Like I made you feel uneasy—like I was an outsider, someone who didn’t belong in this house.”

Ethan looked at Auri, his gaze unreadable. “Be honest with me, Auri. Is that true?”

Auri set her knife down a little too forcefully. “I didn’t do that,” she said firmly. “I had no intention of cornering Anna at all.”

Ethan fell silent for a moment, then said, “Even if you did, I wouldn’t make a big issue out of it.” He rubbed his face, his frustration clearly showing.

Anna looked startled. “Ethan—”

“But,” Ethan interrupted quickly, “don’t do this again. Don’t make Anna feel unsafe here.”

He gently rubbed Anna’s shoulder. “She’s a friend I consider my sister, Auri. I’ve told you that, haven’t I?”

That sentence drained the words right out of Auri. “So you don’t believe me?” she asked softly.

“That’s not it,” Ethan countered. “I just want everything to stay calm. There’s no need to blow small things out of proportion.”

Anna lifted her face, smiling as she wiped away the remaining tears on her cheeks. “I don’t want to be the cause of your arguments,” she said quietly. “After all, I’m nothing more than your little sister, right, Ethan?”

“Anna—” Ethan was about to speak, but she cut him off swiftly.

“I’ve always seen you as more than just a friend—as an amazing older brother. But… yes, I understand. I should have known my place and understood my limits, especially considering how I ended up in this house.”

With that, Anna chose to walk away, leaving them behind.

“Oh God…” Ethan muttered, running a hand through his hair. He pulled out a chair and sat down heavily.

“What?” Auri said, her gaze sharply with resentment. “Are you trying to blame me for Anna’s behavior just now?”

Ethan shook his head slowly. “This shouldn’t have happened in the first place, Auri.”

Auri clenched her fists tightly. “So this is all my fault?”

“Please, tone down your jealousy,” Ethan said. “What do I need to do so your suspicions about Anna will fade? More attention? Words of affection? Just say it, Auri.”

He looked at her intently. “I’ll do whatever you want. But don’t keep going like this. I care about both of you—each in your own place. Anna is just my friend, Auri. You’re my wife. None of that will change.”

Auri still didn’t say anything.

“You can do that for me, can’t you?”

***

“Good morning, Auri,” Anna greeted her with a wide smile. Her face looked brighter—perfectly fine.

Auri paused mid-step. She studied Anna’s face for a moment, then gave a small nod. “Morning.”

The aroma of food drifted from the kitchen. On the dining table, several dishes were already laid out—soft omelets, sautéed vegetables, and clear soup. Everything looked warm and neatly arranged.

“I woke up earlier,” Anna said lightly. “I wanted to help a little. I hope you don’t mind.”

Before Auri could say anything, Anna continued, “I also talked to Ethan about yesterday morning. I’m sorry. I was too sensitive. I shouldn’t have said those things to you.”

She stepped closer and held Auri’s hand firmly. “Please forgive me, okay? You will, right?”

As if Auri hadn’t been given a chance to respond, Ethan’s footsteps approached. He smiled immediately when he saw his wife and his friend talking so amicably, then glanced at the spread on the table.

“You cooked all of this, Anna?”

Anna nodded. “Just something simple.”

“You should be resting more,” Ethan said. “You complained about being exhausted last night and nearly fell, didn’t you?” He moved closer to Anna, sat down across from her, and picked up a spoon at once. After tasting the soup, he said, “It tastes just like before. You’ve always known how I like my food—warm and light.”

Anna chuckled. “Your taste hasn’t changed either. Right, Auri? Ethan likes things like this, doesn’t he?”

Auri took the seat across from them. Her gaze was flat, unreadable, as Anna asked.

“Yes,” she replied.

That was all.

She then began eating slowly, her eyes quietly taking in everything around her.

“This soup is really good,” Ethan went on. “The texture is just right. I like it.”

Anna smiled and, without hesitation, reached for Ethan’s arm. “You praise me too much.”

“I’m just being honest,” Ethan replied easily. Without realizing it, he shifted his chair a little closer to Anna.

They laughed softly. When Ethan accidentally dripped soup onto his fingers, Anna handed him a tissue. He took it without a second thought. Then she added more side dishes to his plate—naturally, attentively.

Like a wife serving her husband.

The gestures flowed so effortlessly, as if they had always done this.

Auri lowered her gaze, stirring her food. Neither of them looked at her. Did she really have to keep tolerating this—again and again?

“You’re not eating?” Ethan finally asked, glancing at her briefly.

“I’m full,” Auri replied shortly.

Anna looked at Auri with concern. “You should eat enough. You’re just like me—pregnant and in need of nutritious food. Even if your condition is much better than mine.”

Somehow, those words carried a different meaning. As if they implied that Anna was entitled to extra attention—especially from Ethan—because of her condition. Unlike Auri, who was also pregnant, yet apparently didn’t deserve the same level of care.

“I know.”

“Make sure you eat enough, Auri. I appreciate the effort Anna put into making breakfast. It wasn’t easy for her,” Ethan said while continuing to spoon his soup. “Besides, this soup really is good.”

Auri wanted nothing more than to put her utensils down and leave the table. But if she did, it would feel like losing. So she stayed—until breakfast ended with Ethan looking satisfied, while Auri held back the turmoil swelling inside her at the sight of the two of them.

Ethan stood up and reached for his jacket. “Thank you for the meal.”

“You’re welcome,” Anna replied quickly. She stood up before Auri did. “Drive safely.”

Auri rose as well. “Drive safely.”

Ethan pressed a brief kiss to Auri’s forehead—fleeting, almost mechanical—then turned away. Before Auri could take a step closer, Anna had already reached for Ethan’s hand, looping her arm through his with easy familiarity.

“Come on,” Anna said softly. “I’ll walk you to the car.”

Auri stayed where she was. She didn’t stop them. She didn’t call out. She didn’t object.

Not because she didn’t want to—but because she was avoiding another argument like the one that morning. She only watched.

And that hurt far more.

Ethan didn’t refuse. He let Anna hold onto him as they walked side by side out of the house, as if it were the most natural thing in the world. They even exchanged light banter, as though their closeness was something that needed no explanation.

From the doorway, Auri watched them stop beside the car. Anna said something she couldn’t hear. Ethan smiled faintly. Then—without hesitation—he lifted his hand and gently rubbed Anna’s rounded belly.

The gesture was casual. Natural. As if it were something he had done countless times before.

Something Ethan should have done… only for Auri.

Auri’s chest tightened. Her breath caught in her throat. Her hands curled into fists without her realizing it.

Was this something she was supposed to accept too?

Was all of this considered normal just because Anna was pregnant?

Or—without realizing it—was Ethan beginning to enjoy playing the role of husband to two pregnant women at the same time?