But just as I was about to walk away, she called out again.
“I noticed something the other day… Isaac always rinses the shrimp in water before peeling them for you. Do you avoid spicy food too?”
Her casual use of the word “too” made me stop in my tracks.
In truth, I enjoyed spicy food. But over time, Isaac had made a habit of washing the shrimp in water before serving them to me, saying spicy flavors weren’t good for my health. I’d accepted it without much thought, assuming he was just thoughtful and looking out for me.
Now it was clear—he wasn’t thinking of me at all.
The one who didn’t like spicy food… the one whose preferences he remembered and cared for… was Candice.
Her head tilted subtly, eyes sharp and calculating as she examined my expression like she was solving a complicated riddle.
"I’ve been dying to say this since our first meeting—don’t you think we look uncannily similar, little sister?" she remarked, her voice laced with biting sarcasm.