I pushed him away coldly.
“No.”
“This is my home. Today is my birthday. What right do you have to hang a funeral wreath here and bring bad luck to me?”
It was just a light shove, but Carson lost his footing and staggered back, falling straight into Jenna’s arms.
“Bryce, haven’t you made enough of a scene?”
Jenna finally snapped. She shoved me hard, her voice low but seething with anger.
“Carson’s already been through so much. He’s only asking for a little, for Aunt Symonne’s memorial to last just half an hour. Can’t you even grant that?”
“You’re usually the understanding one. What’s with the pettiness today?”
I slammed into the sharp edge of the table behind me. Pain shot through my body, and a dark bruise bloomed instantly on my arm.
I almost laughed. Me? Petty?
So what, was I supposed to smile and bow while someone trampled all over me? Only then would I be seen as understanding.
"Jenna, stop being generous at my expense."
"If you’re so thoughtful toward your male assistant and want to hold a grand third death anniversary for his mother, find another venue. Why drag it into my birthday just to make me sick?"
I hadn’t meant to disrespect anyone. But respect should go both ways.
If others stepped over my boundaries first, I had every right to defend myself. I refused to be shackled by their moral blackmail.
I shot back with a cold smile, "If you’re so desperate to hold Carson’s third death anniversary, why not use your place? Your living room sounds just about right."
Jenna’s face twisted, her expression turning sour.
Before she could speak, Carson slumped to the floor in despair.
His shoulders trembled violently, tears dripping onto the black-and-white portrait in his hands.
“Mom, I’m sorry. It’s all my fault for being so useless.”
“My mom raised me alone since I was a kid. I once swore that when I made enough money, I’d throw her a grand birthday party. But before I could do that, she was gone. I just wanted to share Brother Bryce’s joy, and maybe bring a little happiness to my mom in the afterlife.”
“If Brother Bryce finds this inappropriate, then we’re the ones who disturbed him. I’ll take my mom and leave right away…”
Carson wiped his tears, lifted the portrait with both hands, and stumbled toward the door.
At the threshold, he paused and looked back, his eyes red and wet with sorrow.
“Brother Bryce, I’m sorry. I hope I didn’t ruin your lucky hour. Please, go ahead and continue your birthday banquet.”
Before I could utter a word, Jenna rushed over, grabbed his hand, and pulled him tightly into her arms.
“Carson, you and Aunt Symonne don’t need to leave.”
“I already promised you. I will give Aunt Symonne a dignified, grand third death anniversary. I’ll keep my word.”
The tenderness in her eyes pierced through me like a blade. That gaze, it used to belong only to me, back when her love was still pure.
I remembered how my friends warned me over and over.
“You better watch that new male assistant at your fiancée’s office. Total bastard type, definitely not simple. He’s getting way too close to Jenna.”
I had laughed. “No chance. Jenna and I have been together for eight years. She’s not interested in other men.”
But now, watching her shield Carson without hesitation, completely turning her back on me, it felt like a piece of my heart had been ripped clean out.
When Jenna finally looked at me, her eyes were nothing but ice.
She actually gave the order for the bodyguards to escort me out.
“Bryce, since you’re being so petty and won’t share your birthday with Aunt Symonne, I’ll have someone take you to a hotel and redecorate for your party.”
“Once I’m done helping Carson with the memorial, I’ll head over and celebrate your birthday there.”
