Chapter 3

I didn't want to fight in front of Lily. I just gave him a warning look to back off.

Seeing my expression, Ryan seemed to remember our rule about not fighting in front of Lily. He didn't say anything more, but his eyes still looked defiant.

Vanessa followed him in.

She quickly inserted herself between us with a big smile and opened the takeout container.

"Miranda, we had the hotel save this for you. We knew you and Lily hadn't eaten, so we brought it up."

I glanced at it. A fish with nothing left but bones and a few chili peppers. Clearly leftovers from the banquet.

Lily was allergic to fish. I was worried she'd react even being near it, so I pushed the container away.

Seeing this, Ryan assumed I was deliberately trying to humiliate Vanessa. He lost it.

"Vanessa, ignore them. Eat it or don't!"

I didn't want to say another word to him, but I couldn't help myself.

"Ryan, did you forget that Lily's allergic to seafood and fish?"

Ryan's brows furrowed slightly. He seemed to remember something.

Everyone in my family breaks out in hives from fish. Lily was the same. I'd repeatedly told Ryan not to let Lily near fish, but he never took it seriously.

And of course, Vanessa loved fish. Whenever they went out to eat, they'd order it. Sometimes they'd even bring Lily along.

Every time they came back from those meals, Lily's face would be covered in red hives.

I'd apply medicine to her, heartbroken, and criticize him for taking Lily to eat fish. He'd just shrug it off.

"A few hives, a little itching. It's no big deal."

Until one time, Lily's allergic reaction got so severe her throat swelled up and she couldn't breathe. We got her to the hospital just in time.

After that, Ryan seemed to learn his lesson. He stopped bringing Lily along when he went out to eat with Vanessa.

But that didn't last long.

To keep eating out with Vanessa, he started leaving Lily home alone with a pile of snacks and toys to keep her occupied.

Once, Lily choked on a snack while home alone. Luckily, I came home from work just in time to save her.

And now he was bringing fish home for Lily again. Clearly, Lily and I both mattered less to him than a single finger of Vanessa, the woman who'd abandoned him once before.

Vanessa saw Ryan's embarrassment and quickly came to his rescue.

"Oh, I'm so sorry. I was the one who packed it. I forgot Lily was allergic to fish..."

Ryan looked at Vanessa gratefully. His tone softened.

"Vanessa meant well, Miranda. Don't make a big deal out of it."

"Today was my fault for not thinking things through. Tomorrow I'll cook a big meal at home to make it up to you and Lily. That should be fine, right?"

Just then, a commotion came from outside the door, followed by the sound of keys in the lock.

I was confused. Who else besides Ryan and me had keys to our place?

The answer came in the form of Vanessa's parents bragging to their friends and family.

"This is my baby's new home. Over 1,400 square feet!"