Chapter 1
769 Words
Emily hesitated for a moment, but still went.
Less than five minutes later, Quinn Rhodes arrived.
She had changed into a light pink fuzzy coat, her eyes rimmed red. Behind her followed the nanny who cared for her, holding a neatly folded cashmere cardigan.
"Briar, I didn't know this was a gift from your mother."
I nodded. "Now you do."
"If I'd known it was a gift from your mother, I'd rather have frozen to death than touched it."
"Don't." I waved it off. "Freeze yourself to death over a coat, and word gets out that our family can't even afford clothes."
Quinn's expression froze for a second. She quickly resumed that pitiful look.
"But I already wore it, and I don't know how to pay you back..."
"No need to pay for something already worn."
I burrowed back under the blanket. My bones ached from the fever, and I couldn't be bothered to play her games. "Just keep your hands off my stuff from now on."
The living room fell silent for a few seconds.
Quinn gripped the corner of her clothing, her voice soft, "Briar, do you think I've overstayed my welcome at the Voss's?"
"No."
"Then why did you say that?"
I looked at her. "Because it was my coat."
The nanny behind her couldn't hold her tongue. "Miss Rhodes is frail. She caught a chill last night and started coughing. Mr. Voss is worried about her too, and you're always so generous..."
"What's your salary?"
The nanny blinked. "Six thousand dollars."
"Do you know how much this Chanel cashmere costs?"
She fell silent.
"If you feel sorry for her, you can use your own salary to buy her one. You open your mouth and ask me to give it. Do you think my money grows on trees?"
The nanny's face flushed bright red, and she took a step back.
Quinn hurriedly grabbed the nanny, tears streaming down.
"Briar, don't blame the nanny. It's all my fault. I shouldn't have worn your clothes, and I shouldn't have put Reign on the spot."
"You didn't inconvenience me." I corrected her patiently. "You wore my clothes, and I took them back. It's over. What's so hard about that for him?"
Quinn's sobs hitched.
Reign Voss's voice came from the direction of the stairs. "Is it worth it over a lousy piece of clothing? You've turned the whole house upside down."
He strode over, his shirt sleeves still rolled up, looking like he had just come out of the study.
I'd been burning up for three days, and he hadn't stepped in once to check on me.
The man I couldn't summon while I was sick came running just because Quinn was returning a piece of clothing.
Reign looked at Quinn first. Seeing her face covered in tears, his expression immediately darkened.
"Briar, Quinn's health has always been poor. You know she caught a chill last night. You've always been in excellent health, so what are you fussing over with her?"
"My health has always been excellent?" I pulled back the blanket, revealing the fresh needle mark from the fever shot I'd just gotten. "Then the way I look now, am I faking it?"
Reign was momentarily at a loss for words.
Quinn hurriedly tugged his sleeve. "Reign, don't blame Briar. Briar is ill. It's all my fault..."
"You got that right." I shot back.
She froze, hand still tugging his sleeve, unsure whether to let go.
Reign's face darkened further.
"Briar Wolfe!"
"I heard you." I rubbed my temples. "You don't have to resort to my full name every time you're losing an argument. Save your energy. Take her to the mall to buy clothes later."
"It's not like the Voss family can't afford a coat. Must you make such a big deal out of it? If you can afford it, then have the Voss family pay for it." I looked at Reign. "I checked our shared household account. The balance is only 2,300 dollars."
Reign's expression faltered.
"Do you have to keep score like this?"
"Yes." I nodded. "Of course I keep track of what's mine."
"We're husband and wife..."
"Then put your money where your mouth is." I unlocked my phone and pulled up the official website of that cashmere brand. "The same style is still in stock. Order it now, and it'll arrive tomorrow. You pay, and I'll let it go."
Reign didn't take the phone.
Quinn stood nearby, crying even harder.
"Reign, don't worry about it. If Briar can't stand having me around, I'll just move out."
At that, the nanny immediately looked heartbroken.
- Writer
