Jasper, unaware, kept piling food onto Ava’s plate. "Aunt Ava, eat more. You’re too thin. You need to nourish yourself."
Ava’s eyes shimmered with emotion, turning red once more.
She picked up a piece of meat glistening with chili oil and placed it into my bowl.
"Audrey, try this. It’s a specialty in my hometown. I made it just for you."
I didn’t touch it. Instead, I calmly continued sipping my cereal.
"Thank you, but I can’t eat spicy food."
The moment those words left my lips, tears spilled down her face.
"Audrey, do you hate me that much?" Her voice trembled, thick with sorrow.
Jasper shot me a sharp glare. "Aunt Ava, you don’t have to lower yourself for her. You don’t owe her anything."
What a wonderful son I had raised, one who knew exactly where to strike to make it hurt the most.
My throat tightened, but I swallowed back the sting, forcing myself to remain composed. Without a word, I set my spoon and fork down.
"You all enjoy. I’ve had enough."
As I pushed my chair back, ready to leave, Hugo’s voice rang out behind me.
"Audrey, eat the spicy chicken. Consider it an apology to Ava."
I froze. My feet felt like they had turned to stone.