The Girl Who Never Left

It was not until after I married Bennett that I found out he had a clingy little childhood friend who loved to play the victim.

On the very first day of our marriage, at dinner, I simply asked Bennett to pass me a bite of food. She immediately exploded.

"Holly, you're disgusting! Bennett already used those utensils, and you seriously asked him to serve you food? What, don't you have hands?"

I froze, completely blindsided. Before I could even react, Bennett put down his spoon and went straight to her, wrapping her in his arms like she was the one who had been wronged.

Then he turned to me and said I should just get my own food from now on.

However, honestly, wasn't it normal for a husband to serve his wife a bite? What was so outrageous about that?

I barely got a word out before Bennett shut me down in a low, firm voice.

"That's final. If Rosie doesn't like it, then we're not doing it. End of discussion."

The moment the words hit my ears, I was swamped with confusion.

Since when did feeding at the dinner table become a marital faux pas?

I had lived long enough, yet I had never heard of such a petty thing sparking a fight between a couple.

However, there I was, caught in that ridiculous drama.

I stared at Bennett Carter; my eyes were wide with shock.

"I can't reach it! Isn't it just part of being a husband to help me with that?"

"Holly, you're not helpless. You've got hands and feet. Why can't you stand up if you can't reach it?"

His childhood sweetheart, Rosie Scott, was sobbing and fussing as she collapsed into his arms, her questions laced with fury.

"And what, you can't go without eating if you can't reach it?

"All the utensils have Bennett's drool on them. How can you stand to be so gross? How could Bennett even like you?"

I was stunned into silence by her relentless questioning.

When I snapped back to reality, Bennett was cozily feeding Rosie with his fork and knife.

I felt a surge of revulsion.

Rosie nestled against Bennett like a child, her cheeks pink as she waited for him to spoon-feed her.

I could not take it anymore. I slammed my cutlery down on the table. My voice rose as I asked, "What in the world are you two doing? Isn't this just gross?

"And Rosie, do you still think you're a kid? Haven't you heard that men and women should keep a respectful distance? And here you are, cuddling up in my husband's arms for a meal?"

However, to the couple across from me, my questions seemed like nothing more than a tantrum.

Rosie let out a haughty humph and shot me a look of pure scorn.

"What's so gross about it? Bennett and I have been like this forever. He's always fed me at meals.

"We're childhood friends, and we grew up together. How could I not know Bennett?

"I think you're the one with the dirty mind," she snapped.

Bennett did not even bother to look my way.

Their hands were a blur, taking turns feeding each other with practiced ease.

He even murmured soothing words to Rosie when she got upset, gently patting her back.

"Don't worry, Holly. Rosie's as light as a feather. Holding her is no trouble at all. She's always been clingy, and I'm used to it."

I was so furious I nearly bit through my cheek, the metallic tang of blood filling my mouth.

Was that really about whether he was tired?

He was holding his childhood sweetheart close, sharing a meal and utensils.

Then why did he marry me?

He might as well have just stayed with Rosie!

After Bennett had doted on her, Rosie dabbed at her mouth with a napkin, smirking triumphantly at me, her eyes challenging.

I was so close to flipping the table, but I swallowed my anger.

"Bennett, are you going to let her down or what?"

"You think you're so perfect, Rosie? With your whining and clinging?"

Rosie burst into tears again, holding onto Bennett like a little kid.

"Bennett, I can tell Holly's not a fan of mine. Now that you're hitched, it's like I don't even exist to you."

The man's brow furrowed instantly, his voice laced with irritation.

"Holly, cut it out with the drama.

"Rosie's just a kid. She's your sister. Cut her some slack."