Robert lit a cigarette, glanced at Chloe, then quickly stubbed it out and forced a smile.
“Yeah, when they were kids, they even shared a bed, grew up like that. They’ve been making these jokes for over ten years. Ethan got married suddenly, so Chloe hasn’t adjusted yet.”
“She just likes livening up the dinner table. Don’t take it to heart!”
Ethan didn’t take it seriously, chuckling lightly.
“When we were kids, Chloe used to play house and insisted I be the groom. She even called my parents ‘Mom and Dad.’ I told her back then to knock it off, but she never listened. Now look—Lily’s misunderstanding you because of it.”
“Chloe, no more of these jokes. Talking about not believing in marriage—what do you know about that at your age?”
He rested his hand casually on the table, but still slid a tissue toward Chloe.
“I know I was wrong, Lily. I’ll never say it again. It’s just hard for me to adjust to my brother being married. I promise it won’t happen again.”
My nails dug deep into my palm as my gaze dropped.
Through the gap of her purse, I saw the edge of a document stamped with the hospital’s red seal.
She was definitely not joking.
“Is that so? Well, I also have a surprise for everyone.”