[5]

Next morning, while Auri was preparing breakfast, Anna approached her.

“Auri,” she called softly. Her eyes looked downcast, and she didn’t dare hold Auri’s gaze for long. “I’m truly sorry for making you uncomfortable with my presence.”

Auri’s hand paused on the cutting board. She drew a slow breath before turning around. Her face remained calm, even though the unease from the night before hadn’t fully faded. She had already decided—she couldn’t let this continue.

This was her marriage. No one had the right to intrude, not even her husband’s best friend.

“It’s fine,” Auri replied briefly. “Since you brought this up first, may I ask something of you?”

Anna lifted her head, her eyes brightening as she looked at Auri. “What is it?”

“Please keep your boundaries with Ethan,” Auri said carefully. There was no intimidation in her tone, every word measured, her voice steady as she forced a small smile. “Even if you’re close, Ethan is a married man.”

Anna blinked several times, then nodded. “Yes, I understand what you’re saying.”

“Good,” Auri said, a little surprised but choosing not to dwell on it. “Thank you, Anna.” At least she had voiced her discomfort directly.

“But, Auri… may I ask you for something?”

The steady rhythm of Auri’s knife against the cutting board slowed. Her brows drew together; a quiet tension settled between her eyes.

“As I told Mom last night,” Anna continued gently, “I’ve allowed Ethan to let my baby call him Papa. And Mom… well, she’ll be Grandma.” She paused, then looked at Auri with an almost careful expression. “You don’t mind, do you?”

Auri’s eyes widened in disbelief. Before she could even respond, Anna spoke again, her tone light, almost apologetic.

“Oh, really, I don’t mean anything by it. It’s just that… we’ve been close for a long time. I only wanted to let you know. I was worried you might feel hurt if you found out later.”

Auri’s hand tightened around the knife handle, her fingers turning pale. “What exactly are you trying to say?” she asked, her voice low and controlled.

“Nothing at all.” Anna’s smile widened. “I just wanted to give Mom a little happiness. She’s always wanted a grandson. And I don’t think Ethan would mind being called Papa by my son.”

She tilted her head slightly, as if considering something amusing.

“And you…” Anna snapped her fingers lightly. “What about Momma? I’ll be Mommy, and you can be Momma. That sounds nice, doesn’t it?”

For a moment, Auri could only stare at her, stunned. The conversation felt so far beyond reason that her mind struggled to keep up.

“Is there no other title besides Papa?” Auri finally said, her voice sharp with disbelief. “Do you think Ethan is your husband? Your son can call him Uncle Ethan. That would be appropriate, wouldn’t it?”

Anna’s smile faded instantly.

“I see,” she said softly. “What a pity.” She rested a hand over her stomach, gently stroking it. “I was hoping you’d show at least a little compassion,” she continued, her tone turning fragile. “I just don’t want my child to grow up without a father figure.”

Auri found herself at a complete loss for words. Nothing Anna said that morning made sense—yet every sentence landed like a quiet provocation.

And after dropping something so outrageous, Anna simply turned and walked away, leaving Auri standing there alone in the kitchen.

Auri thinking that perhaps peace had finally returned to the house. Unfortunately… it was only an illusion. Not long after, Ethan walked into the kitchen. His face was tense.

“Auri,” he called.

“Yes?” Auri turned to him.

Ethan didn’t answer right away. He glanced back at Anna, who was standing behind him.

“Ethan, please. I don’t want to make this into an issue,” Anna said, tugging gently at his arm. “Really. I’m fine.” She wiped at the corner of her watery eyes.

“But you’re crying,” Ethan sighed. “I need to talk to Auri.”

Auri frowned. “What’s going on?”

“Anna said you spoke to her in a rather unpleasant tone earlier.”

Auri froze. “What?”

Anna lowered her head, her fingers twisting together. “I didn’t mean to blow this out of proportion,” she said softly. “Ah… I shouldn’t have said anything to Ethan. I’m just being too sensitive.”

“I don’t understand what all of this is supposed to mean,” Auri snapped, irritation sharp in her voice.

“Anna feels like she isn’t welcome here. And you’re turning something small and trivial into a bigger issue than it needs to be,” Ethan said, his gaze sharp as it fixed on his wife. Then his eyes narrowed slightly. “Did you really say that, Auri?”

His words stunned her. “I never said that,” Auri shot back. “All I asked was for Anna to keep appropriate boundaries. And I don’t accept what—”

“But the way you spoke earlier,” Anna interrupted. Fresh tears slid down her cheeks, her voice trembling. “It made me feel like I was the problem, Auri. Like my presence alone made you uncomfortable. Like I was a stranger… as if I didn’t belong in this house.”

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

Auri set the knife down a little too hard. “I didn’t do that,” she said firmly. “I never meant to corner or hurt Anna in any way.”

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

Anna’s eyes widened. “Ethan—”

“But,” Ethan cut in quickly, “don’t do it again. Don’t make Anna feel unsafe in this house.”

He rested a gentle hand on Anna’s shoulder. “She’s my best friend—like a younger sister to me, Auri. I’ve told you that before, haven’t I?”

That was all it took to drain the words from Auri’s throat. “So… you don’t believe me?” she asked quietly.

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

Anna lifted her face, managing a faint smile as she wiped away her tears. “I don’t want to be the reason you two fight,” she said softly. “After all, I’m nothing more than your little sister. Right, Ethan?”

“Anna—” Ethan started, but she cut him off at once.

“I’ve always seen you as more than just a friend,” she said softly. “To me, you were like an older brother—someone admirable, the kind of man who loves and protects his wife and his family.”

Her voice faltered for a moment before she continued, quieter this time.

“But… I understand now. I should have known my place. I should have been more aware of the limits… and how I ended up staying in this house.”

With that, Anna turned and walked away, leaving them behind.

“Damn it,” Ethan muttered under his breath, raking a hand through his hair. He pulled out a chair and sat down heavily.

“What?” Auri said coldly. “Are you trying to blame me for Anna’s behavior just now?”

Ethan shook his head. “This shouldn’t have happened, Auri.”

Auri’s hands were clenched. “So all of this is my fault?”

“Please, tone down your jealousy,” Ethan said. “What do I need to do to ease your suspicions about Anna? More attention? Words of affection? Just tell me.”

“Is that enough for you?”

Ethan dragged a hand over his face, frustration written all over him. “Then tell me what else you want. Whatever it is, I’ll do it, Auri.”

Auri let out a sharp breath. “Do you even know what she asked for? She wants her son to call you ‘Papa’ one day, Ethan.”

“So what’s wrong with that?” Ethan cut in quickly. “You know Anna’s condition, don’t you? She’s fragile, Auri. Don’t put too much pressure on her. We can talk to her and explain things once she’s more stable. For now—”

“For now, we just give her everything she wants?” Auri snapped, her emotions finally breaking through. Her eyes burned as she looked at him. “Seriously, Ethan… are you planning to be the father of her child?”

For a split second, a wild, unthinkable thought flashed through her mind—what if he wasn’t planning to be… but already was...?

Ethan’s voice cut through her spiraling thoughts. He looked straight at her, then shook his head impatiently.  “I’ll do whatever you want. But you can’t keep going on like this—twisting everything into something it’s not. I care about both of you—in your own places. Anna is my friend. You’re my wife. None of that will ever change.”

Auri said nothing, staring at him as if she were seeing a stranger.

“You can be reasonable about this, can’t you?”

“Damn it,” Auri muttered under her breath, forcing herself not to raise her voice. She quickly untied the apron she’d been wearing while cooking and walked out of the kitchen.

“Where do you think you’re going?” Ethan asked sharply.

Auri ignored him.

“Auri!” Ethan snapped, grabbing her arm with more force than necessary. She winced in pain but struggled, pulling herself free from his grip. “Answer me—where are you going?”

“Go ahead and enjoy breakfast with your precious friend, Ethan,” Auri shot back, her eyes blazing. “You care about her more than you care about me, don’t you?”

“Auri, please, don’t do this.” Ethan dragged a hand down his face; frustration etched deep into his features.

“What else am I supposed to do?” Auri demanded. “I’ve tried to hold everything in—everything you do, including the way you shower Anna with attention.”

“Auri,” Anna interjected.

“Shut up!” Auri cut her off immediately. She was slightly startled to see Anna around them again. When did the woman come back?

“I just want to—”

“I’m not talking to you, Anna.” Then Auri’s attention turned fully toward Ethan. “This is my limit, Ethan. Ask Anna to leave this house. Right Now!”