Sharp Tongue

Sia's POV

I stood by the window, watching as several cars pulled into the driveway.

The first car came to a stop, and Ashton's father stepped out, followed by Amanda. The second car parked right behind them, occupied by Ashton and her.

Kira.

I scoffed, shaking my head in disbelief.

"He called to apologize, yet here he is, still flaunting his little whore," I muttered under my breath before shutting the curtains.

Turning away from the window, I climbed onto the bed and pulled my laptop closer. Thankfully, Ethan had retrieved all my belongings from the hotel.

Instead of wasting time having dinner with the Woods, I decided to focus on finishing my assignments.

A knock came at the door.

"Mrs. Brooks?"

I looked up to see a woman in her fifties standing there. She smiled warmly, and I nodded, signaling for her to come in.

"Mr. Brooks asked me to inform you that dinner is served," she said politely.

I pouted. I had already told Ethan I wasn't having dinner with his so-called family.

"Who are you?" I asked instead.

"Sophie," she replied. "I'm the maid."

I nodded before walking to the door and peeking outside.

"Thanks for the information," I said, dismissing her.

She gave a slight bow and left the room.

I returned to my bed, engrossing myself in my studies. But as the minutes dragged on, I found myself rubbing my stomach.

God, I was starving.

With a sigh, I closed my laptop and shoved it to the side.

I paced around the room, waiting for them to leave so I could sneak downstairs for food.

But before I could execute my plan, the door suddenly pushed open, and Ethan walked in.

He didn't spare me a glance, simply picking up a file from the bedside table. As he turned to leave, I hurriedly stopped him.

"Uhm… can you ask the maid to send my dinner upstairs?" I asked hesitantly.

Ethan raised a brow.

"Are you scared to meet someone?"

I quickly shook my head.

Scared? Of course not.

"Then prove it," he challenged. "Come downstairs with me."

I bit my lower lip. I really didn't want to face them.

But Ethan was waiting.

"Well… okay," I mumbled, dragging my feet as I followed him out of the room.

We walked downstairs, and I immediately noticed the lively atmosphere around the dining table. They were laughing, enjoying themselves.

But the moment they spotted me, the entire room fell silent.

Ashton stood up abruptly, his shocked gaze shifting between me and Ethan.

Ethan, on the other hand, didn't seem to care about their reactions.

"Come," he said, pulling out a chair for me.

I sat down hesitantly, and he took the seat beside me before shoving the document he was holding toward Ashton's father.

"Go through it," Ethan instructed.

Ashton's father barely glanced at the file. Instead, his glare was directed at me.

"What is this woman doing here?" he asked coldly.

I rubbed my palms together under the table, feeling the weight of his scrutinizing gaze.

"This woman is my wife," Ethan stated firmly. "Sia Brooks."

As if they didn't already know.

"She is my wife!" Ashton snapped, his fists clenching as he slammed the table. "You can't be married to her!"

"Ashton, sit down," his father scolded.

Then his sharp gaze landed back on me.

"And you—don't you have any dignity?"

Ethan's expression darkened.

"Any word against my wife, and I'll make the person regret it," he warned, his voice dangerously sharp.

Silence.

No one dared to say another word.

After a tense moment, Ashton's father finally picked up the file, flipping through the pages.

"I'm your older brother," he muttered. "How could you get married without informing me?"

Ethan ignored him, swirling the wine in his glass indifferently.

"Mr. Brooks," Amanda started, but Ethan raised a brow, cutting her off.

He didn't even have to say anything—his presence alone was enough to silence her.

His phone rang, and to my surprise, he stood up and walked away to take the call outside.

I frowned.

"Why did he leave?" I muttered nervously, pouring myself a glass of juice.

"What's wrong with you, Sia?" Ashton scolded.

"Have you completely lost your sense of respect?" Amanda chimed in.

I sneered.

And who was lecturing me about respect?

"Don't dare talk to me about respect," I shot back.

"You amaze me, Sia," Kira said mockingly.

I rolled my eyes.

"It's Aunt Sia to you," I corrected with a smirk.

Her mouth dropped open.

I was definitely enjoying this.

I had been so afraid of them before. But now I realized—they were the ones at a disadvantage if they pissed me off.

"Aunt Sia? You must be crazy!" Amanda yelled.

I leaned back in my seat smugly.

"Relax, dear sister-in-law," I said mockingly. "Sia hasn't even started yet."

Ashton's father slammed his fist on the table, pointing a finger at me.

"I promise you, kid—you don't want to mess with me. Leave Ethan's life now and get out of this country while you still have the chance."

I narrowed my eyes.

"Is that a threat?"

Was he seriously planning to hurt me if I didn't leave?

"Sia," Ashton spoke up, his voice softer this time. "I get it… you're trying to punish me by being with Ethan. But can you stop already?"

I let out a laugh.

Did he really think that highly of himself?

"Are you so offended that Ashton chose me instead?" Kira smirked.

I sighed heavily.

Why was Ethan taking so long?

"Offended?" I repeated, tilting my head.

Kira nodded confidently.

I chuckled.

"I had a conversation with your dear Ashton just minutes ago," I said, watching her expression shift. "He begged me to come back to him. Do you really think he choosed you?"

Silence.

A throat cleared behind me.

I turned to see Ethan standing there, his expression unreadable.

The atmosphere was so tense that we were all forced to pretend everything was fine as we continued our meal.

But Ashton's father had had enough. With a harsh glare in my direction, he stood up abruptly.

"See you at the office tomorrow, Ethan," he muttered before storming out, using his cane for support. Amanda hurried after him.

"Good night, Uncle," Ashton added awkwardly.

I almost felt embarrassed for him. He was suddenly acting all respectful toward Ethan, just because Ethan controlled all the shares.

The things we do for money.

Ashton left with Kira, and I sighed in relief before finally digging into my food.

Luckily, I hadn't lost my appetite.

Then, out of nowhere, Ethan spoke.

"Why were you on the phone with Ashton?"

I choked on my food.

Quickly, I grabbed my glass and gulped down some water.

Ethan leaned closer, his tone dangerously calm.

"I don't support my wife talking to other men apart from me," he said casually. "I assume you didn't know that earlier. But now you do. So make sure it never happens again."

I blinked in disbelief.

Was I not supposed to talk to other men?

"That sounds like a rule from the eighties," I muttered.

Ethan pulled a cigarette from his pocket and leaned in slightly.

"Ladies in the eighties didn't wear wedding rings," he countered smoothly. "So I thought we were taking that route."

I shut my eyes tightly.

His sharp tongue hadn't changed.

Not even after nine years.