Everyone knew I was a stand-in for his long-lost crush. They'd all been in on it, keeping me blissfully clueless.
The Shane Group was in full swing, rebuilding its empire. Ethan rarely made it home before midnight.
Despite Ms. Ward's protests, I waited up, reheating dinner multiple times.
It was our anniversary, after all. Life needs its rituals.
At the stroke of twelve, the door finally opened.
"Ethan..."
My joy evaporated as Mia trailed in behind him.
Her eyes were red, yet her fingers were laced with Ethan's.
She cowered behind him upon noticing me.
Ethan shielded her instinctively. "Gia, I asked you to look after Mia. Why are you bullying her into the storage room?"
Mia chimed in, "Brother, we agreed not to be mad at Gia, remember? She's just upset I'm stealing your attention."
Her words, seemingly in my defense, only reinforced the narrative of my mistreatment.
"Mia, don't make excuses for her," Ethan said, his tenderness for Mia a stark contrast to his coldness towards me.
"Gia Shaw, you're really disappointing me."
The use of my full name stung.
"Mr. Shane, how exactly have I bruised your ego?"
Ethan frowned. "Mia just got back and has nowhere to go. Can't I even offer my sister a room?"