GoodReadJeffrey furrowed his thick brows.
“Your brother isn't exactly the type to come around willingly.” “That's why we need a plan!” Karen locked eyes with him. “Jeffrey, it's his birthday today, and | was thinking maybe you two could bond a bit. If Kenneth could just accept you, then we wouldn't have much to worry about. At worst, we'd get a telling-off from my folks.” With Karen laying it out like that, Jeffrey could only nod.
“Alright, I'll charm him, don't worry.” “I know you're not his biggest fan because he's always getting in the way of us, but he's just overly protective, you know? He's always been there for me, and it would kill me to see you two not getting along.” Karen was clearly torn. Caught between her brother and her partner, she was damned if she did and damned if she didn’t.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt“I get it.” Jeffrey soothed, gently holding her hand. “You feeling any better?” “Yeah, much better. Let's head back. We don't want to leave Dorothy alone with Kenneth for too long; she'll be uncomfortable.” Jeffrey nodded, then swiftly picked Karen up in his arms.
Karen tried to squirm free, but he said firmly, “I'll only carry you to the private room door. You can walk in from there.” They had just returned when they saw Kenneth serving Dorothy some food.
But there was only a polite, strained smile on Dorothy's face, and she wasn't touching the food on her plate.
“Back already. Do we need to swing by the hospital?” Kenneth asked, still clearly more concerned about his sister's well-being.
“No need; the doc said it's normal. Didn't Dorothy go through the same thing with morning sickness?” Dorothy nodded. “Yeah, it gets better as the pregnancy goes on. You get used to it.” “Yeah.” Karen kept her head down, avoiding eye contact with Kenneth.
What should have been a simple birthday celebration had turned awkward for everyone.
Dorothy regretted coming a bit, but if she hadn't, she feared Karen would have had even less control over the situation. If Kenneth started scolding Karen and Jeffrey rushed to defend his girlfriend, an argument between the two men could easily erupt.
Midway through the meal, Jeffrey suddenly looked up at Kenneth and said, “Kenneth, it's your birthday, and Karen and | have got a special present for you.” Kenneth frowned. “Well, that was a pretty big ‘present’.” “Kenneth! Jeffrey really put thought into this.” Dorothy quickly chimed in, “Come on, it's your birthday; that's what matters. Let's forget the rest for now.” Jeffrey leaned down, pulled a box from beneath his chair, and handed it over.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm“Happy Birthday, Kenneth.” Kenneth glanced at him and opened the box right there.
Inside was a set of sports car keys.
“Mr. Turner, are you always this generous with gifts?” “I don't often give gifts, and I'm not great at picking them, but | figured, man to man, you'd appreciate a car,” Jeffrey said.
Kenneth gave a half-smile, closed the box, and slid it back across the table. “I can't accept this. I'm afraid of any strings attached, something | might not be able to deliver on.” Kenneth wasn't being foolish; he understood Karen too well and knew what his sister had in mind.
Having his gift rejected to his face, Jeffrey felt a sting of embarrassment.
He clenched his fists, struggling to keep his cool, especially in front of Karen's brother, whom she so deeply respected.
“However if you're sincere, we could have a private chat about it,” Kenneth suggested.
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