Chapter 6: The Truth Beneath the Surface

She greeted me, then went to Harrison, resting her hand on his arm and defending me:

"Harrison, why tease Rosie? She’s a lady, she can’t take your jokes."

Harrison just chuckled. I pulled Maddie away, fuming.

"Maddie, did you see me getting bullied? And you laughed with him."

"Miss, I swear, Harrison only teases you because he likes you. I’ve never seen him so happy."

"Of course, you hardly see him. He always smiles in Elena’s room!"

Now even Maddie’s on his side—he must be thrilled. Why bother trying to please him anymore?

I just picked a fancy leather belt as a gift. Whether he likes it or not, I don’t care!

That night, almost every bigwig in town came to the party, including my parents.

They arrived early. I pulled Mom aside to complain about Harrison, but she defended him.

I burst into tears.

"A married daughter is forgotten? I’m bullied in the Whitmore house and you still side with him!"

Unexpectedly, Mom laughed, patted my head and said:

"Child, when will you grow up? You don’t look miserable at all—more like the monkey from your puppet show."

Monkey again! How rude!

I whimpered softly:

"Even you say I’m like that monkey?"

"No, no. If you gain a little more weight, you’ll catch up with the sidekick. I should ask Harrison what he’s feeding you—you’ve gotten so plump. Should I expect a grandkid soon?"

Mom laughed so hard, Maddie nearly choked.

What grandkid? I’m just stress-eating after getting on Harrison’s nerves.

I chased them out, flopped on the bed, and cried myself to sleep.

Great. Just great.

In my sleep, I felt a big hand on my face. Blinking awake, I saw Harrison.

"Rosie, you’re not coming to my birthday party?"

I looked out the window—it was already evening, the party must have started.

Since it’s his birthday, I let it go, holding back my complaints.

"Cried so much your eyes look like walnuts after talking to Mom—homesick?"

Not at all. There’s nothing left for me at that home…

It’s you, troublemaker, who made me cry.

Seeing me quiet, Harrison leaned down and kissed my swollen eyes, gently rubbing the corners: