Meet My Brothers by Red Thirteen

Mia gave a slight nod. "Very well," she replied, her voice casting a sudden calm over the living room.

Recalling the earlier exchange, Timothy couldn't suppress a frown. "If you're really into blind dates," he quipped. "Perhaps you should consider a guy who's at least on par with me." What a jerk.

Lifting her gaze, Mia fired back, "That could be quite the challenge, to be honest. After all, it's not easy to find someone beneath you, especially when you've set the bar so low as a despicable ex-husband. "But to find someone better than you? Well, that seems like it wouldn't take much effort at all."

Timothy lapsed into silence, feeling a sting in his chest.

Unfazed, Mia pressed on, "If you have no further business here, you're free to leave. Were you genuinely expecting an invitation to dinner?"

Before Timothy could respond, Ginger dashed out, her gaze fixed on Timothy. "Grand-Aunt Patricia wants to know if you'd like to stay for dinner?"

Mia quickly interjected, "That won't be necessary."

"I'd be happy to," Timothy chimed in.

Stunned, Mia turned to Timothy beside her and retorted, "What's the point of staying? Remember how a certain someone didn't even bother to come meet Aunt Patricia?

"And now, here you are, eagerly wanting to stay. Don't you find that a bit hypocritical?"

As Mia's words faded, Timothy moved closer, bridging the gap between them.

Undeterred, Mia stood her ground, meeting his gaze earnestly.

pain. I also feel deeply

her lips pressed together. "Unfortunately, there's no quick fix

understand, but despite the apparent hypocrisy,

don't you feel ashamed?"

embarrassing. But truthfully, I'm completely okay with

Mia found herself momentarily speechless. In

was said, Timothy

couch, Timothy turned to Ginger and asked, "Are you sure you don't want any of the

shook her head firmly. "I already have plenty. Let's donate

before continuing, "And

completely indifferent, paying

we can donate the rest.

Timothy instructed, "Did you hear that? Please

obeyed, efficiently clearing away the

but notice that there were still quite a few presents remaining. "What are these

Patricia. Should they be taken

intended for Aunt Patricia, then they

bothered with all of

long, they found themselves seated around the dinner

smile graced Patricia's lips as she envisioned the bliss of having