Chapter 4
1008 Words
Reign's hand rested on the edge of the table, his fingers slowly tightening.
He said, "Quinn saved my life. Is it even appropriate to just casually make her my honorary sister?"
I asked, "If even that's too casual, what status do you want to give her?"
He didn't answer.
I said, "If she doesn't want Mom as her honorary mother, she can just be my honorary sister. Then you are her brother-in-law."
Reign's face darkened.
He said, "No."
I asked, "What's wrong with that?"
He replied, "She might not be willing."
I said, "Then call her in and ask."
I immediately sent Emily to the guest room.
Reign tried to stop me, but it was too late.
Quinn came quickly.
After hearing about the honorary sister arrangement, she glanced at Reign first, then smiled at me.
She said, "Briar, you've been so thoughtful of me. I'm truly touched. It's just that I'm unlucky. My parents passed away early, and I'm afraid becoming your honorary sister would bring you bad luck."
Another pretty remark that put everyone else first.
I said, "You don't have to take Magnolia as your honorary mother. You can just be my honorary sister. No need to change your surname, no need for a ceremony."
Quinn's hand tightened inside her sleeve.
She said, "I don't want to cause Briar this kind of trouble."
I said, "It's no trouble. I'm willing."
She said, "But I..."
I asked, "You just said you were touched, and now you're saying no. Quinn, is it that I haven't been thoughtful enough, or do you just not want this status?"
Quinn opened her mouth but couldn't find the words.
Reign stood up abruptly.
He said, "Enough. She doesn't want to, why are you forcing her?"
I said, "Don't worry, I'm not forcing her."
I picked up the list again.
I added, "But from now on, if anyone says again that she has no standing, don't come to me. I asked her to move out and she refused; I offered to make her my honorary sister and she refused. If there's a third option, think it through and then let me know."
Quinn looked at Reign.
Reign didn't look at her.
Magnolia's birthday was coming up too.
A week before the birthday, the Voss family's relatives came to the house to discuss seating arrangements and return gifts.
Quinn came too, wearing the new clothes Reign had bought her. A small hair clip held back her hair, and she looked much better than when she'd first arrived.
But the moment she entered, she hung her head in contrition.
She said, "Magnolia, Reign, Briar. Once the birthday is over, I'll move out anyway."
All eyes in the room turned to me.
An aunt was the first to speak.
She asked, "Why leave when things are perfectly fine? Did someone give you a hard time?"
Quinn hurriedly shook her head.
She said, "Briar has been so good to me. It's because I live here that Briar has been gossiped about for no reason. I don't want to affect Reign and Briar's relationship anymore."
She was putting in another "good word" for me.
So the aunt looked at me with even more suspicion.
She said, "You saved Reign's life. What's wrong with staying at home for a few days? The two of you could have gotten along just fine; it's just that someone is small-minded."
I smiled and said, "You're absolutely right. If you can't bear to part with her, why don't you let her move in with you?"
The aunt's hand, which was lifting her coffee cup, froze in midair.
She said, "There are too many of us at home, and the house is tiny..."
I said, "Just squeeze in a bit. Didn't you just say that there's nothing wrong with a life-saving benefactor staying for a few days?"
The aunt lifted her cup and suddenly became engrossed in sipping her coffee.
Magnolia slammed her coffee cup down on the table.
She said, "Briar, she's an orphan. Why do you have to target her at every turn?"
I replied, "I find her a place to live, and that's targeting? You keep her here but won't give her a proper status, and that's kindness?"
I looked around at everyone in the room.
I continued, "She's been living here for half a year. Out there, people won't stop talking just because she puts on a pretty cry. If you truly have her best interests at heart, give her a proper status. Don't keep her here while expecting me to be your scapegoat."
Quinn bit her lip, tears welling up in her eyes.
Reign suddenly spoke.
He said, "Then I'll give her a status."
The living room fell silent.
He looked at me, as if he'd reached a momentous decision.
He said, "Quinn saved my life. I can't let her live in our home without a proper title or standing."
He paused, his voice dropping even lower.
He added, "She doesn't care about status. She only wants to stay by my side openly and honorably. Briar, you're already my wife. Can't you even show that much generosity?"
Before I could respond, he said, one word at a time, "I want to give her a wedding and officially bring her into the household, but rest assured, your name will still be on the marriage certificate."
Quinn looked startled and quickly stood up to face Reign.
She said, "Reign, don't do this! I never wanted to compete with Briar."
She sounded so sincere.
Everyone in the room looked at me.
Magnolia's grip on the cross loosened slightly.
She said, "Briar, it's good that Reign is loyal and devoted. Even if there's a wedding, it's no big deal. In any case, you're still the lady of the Voss household. That won't change."
I didn't answer right away.
Emily stood behind me, so angry her hands were shaking.
Reign looked at me, his gaze already accusing.
If I made a scene now, it would only prove that Quinn was the wronged party.
- Writer
