"Ugh, now I have to go get her myself."
Jennifer knocked on my bedroom door.
"Hey, get out here! Mr. Sanchez is here to see you!"
"Mom and Dad are both waiting!"
When she got no response, Jennifer's temper flared instantly.
"What, are you mute? I'm talking to you!"
"You really think hiding in your room means you don't have to get married? Mr. Sanchez just said you're registering the marriage the day after tomorrow."
"Minnie! Can you even hear me? Open the door!"
"I'm giving you three seconds. If you don't, I'll make sure this lock never works again!"
This wasn't the first time Jennifer had broken into my room. Before, whenever we fought, Mom and Dad put on a show of being fair, but they always sided with her. Because I noticed things, because I was sensitive to every small shift, I caught every bit of it. My bedroom was the one private space I had, the only shelter where I could shut out everything I didn't want to feel.
"Three!"
"Two!"
"One!"
"Minnie! You just wait. I'm going to get someone to pick this lock right now!"
Jennifer stormed back downstairs in a fury.
"Mr. Sanchez, I'm so sorry. My sister hasn't gotten out of bed yet!"
Dad's expression darkened.
"What happened? Didn't I tell you to bring her down?"
Jennifer explained, her voice dripping with wounded innocence.
"I tried, Dad! She's locked herself in her room and won't open the door!"
She ground her teeth and, right there in front of Ronnie, started tearing me apart.
"Well, she grew up in an orphanage, so what do you expect? We have a guest in the house and she can't even come down to say hello. No manners whatsoever!"
"Mr. Sanchez, my sister has quite the temper. Are you sure you want to marry her?"
Once Jennifer's emotions took over, nothing was off-limits.
"If it weren't for Mr. Sanchez's leg problems, someone like her would never even get a chance like this! She's handed a golden opportunity and still throws a fit. So dramatic!"
Dad reached over and clamped his hand over Jennifer's mouth, then turned to Ronnie with an apologetic smile.
"Mr. Sanchez, please don't listen to my daughter's nonsense. The marriage arrangement was always meant for Minnie from the very beginning."
Ronnie tightened his grip on the teacup in his hand and looked at Dad.
"To be honest, I don't particularly care who the bride is. I'm only doing this to fulfill my grandfather's wish."
Mom and Dad both let out a breath of relief. Their biggest fear was that Jennifer would say the wrong thing and send all that money walking right out the door.
"However, what was just said? I don't want to hear anything like that again. Minnie is my woman. None of you get to talk about her. If she wants to stay in her room, let her stay."
So this was what a real tycoon looked like?
Ah, what a shame. I was already dead.
It really was a pity, when I thought about it. If I hadn't gotten so worked up, maybe I'd still be alive.
Jennifer's face turned a sickly shade of green.
"She's just some hick who grew up in an orphanage, and Mr. Sanchez is actually defending her!"
Ronnie's gaze shifted to Jennifer. His eyes were glacial.
"Ms. Henson, if I'm not speaking up for her, should I be speaking up for you?"
Mom pulled Jennifer down to sit beside her.
"Mr. Sanchez, please forgive us. My daughter doesn't know any better. I'll make sure to discipline her properly."
"You'd better."
"Since Minnie is still sleeping, I'll come back next Tuesday. We'll go straight to register the marriage then. Let her know."
"I have other matters to attend to. I'll be going."
His bodyguard wheeled Ronnie toward the door. Dad trailed behind them.
"Mr. Sanchez, take care! You're welcome anytime!"
The moment Ronnie was gone, every face in the room changed.
"Dad, he actually stood up for her! How is that fair? I'm supposed to be his fiancee!"
Dad raised his hand, brought it inches from Jennifer's face, then let it drop.
"You..."
