Jenna opened the door to find Sophie standing there in a pale yellow sundress.

Behind her was a girl dripping in jewelry—a pink peter pan collar blouse paired with a beige pencil skirt, her diamond bracelet glittering under the light.

Jenna stepped aside to let them in before heading to the kitchen to pour two glasses of lemon water.

"Jenna, this is my best friend Vanessa Galatea." Sophie tugged Vanessa forward. "Vanessa, meet my sister-in-law I always talk about."

Jenna set the glasses on the coffee table and nodded. "Nice to meet you, Vanessa."

"Hope I'm not intruding." Vanessa's red lips curved slightly, a trace of disdain flickering in her eyes.

Her gaze swept over Jenna's cheap loungewear and the faint scent of cooking oil clinging to her hair. Disgusting.

Sophie glanced around. "Is Ethan not back yet?"

"He'll be here soon." Jenna checked the wall clock.

Sophie immediately dialed her phone. "Ethan, we're already here... Got it."

Hanging up, she winked at Jenna. "He just pulled into the garage."

"Make yourselves comfortable. I'll get dinner ready." Jenna turned toward the kitchen.

Soon, four dishes and a soup were arranged on the dining table. As she finished setting the utensils, the doorbell rang.

"I'll get it!" Sophie bounded to the door.

Ethan stood outside holding—of all things—a bouquet of sunflowers.

Sophie gaped. "You bought flowers? For Jenna?"

"Who said roses are the only option?" He brushed past her coldly.

The rich aroma of home-cooked food hit him the moment he stepped inside. His Adam's apple bobbed involuntarily.

Jenna approached, hand outstretched. "Let me take those."

Ethan handed her the flowers and headed straight for the washroom.

When he returned, the sunflowers stood in a glass vase at the center of the table.

"They suit the dining room," Jenna remarked with a smile.

Ethan's brow furrowed. Why was she calling him "Mr. Roscente" again?

At the table, Vanessa rose gracefully. "Long time no see."

Ethan barely glanced at her, offering only a curt "Hmm."

His attention fixed on the spread—simple home-style dishes that made his mouth water.

"Is your brother not joining us?" he asked abruptly.