Sophia breathed a sigh of relief, seemingly glad the rightful son wasn’t hard to please: “Then pick any room except Mom and Dad’s. I’ll personally arrange your room tomorrow.”
Liam complained in a wronged voice: “Sis, I can arrange a room for Brother too.”
Sophia ignored him and instead said to me, “I have a meeting at the office this afternoon. If anything comes up we can talk after I get back tonight.”
“Oh.”
I answered and went back to lying like a corpse on the sofa.
Sophia shook her head, a little exasperated at my laziness. She left quickly — her position at the company seemed important.
After she left, Liam said to me, “Brother, I’ll take you to a good room. You’ll like it.”
“Fine.”
Reluctantly I got up.
If I could have stripped down and stayed dead on the living room sofa, I would have. I was that lazy.
As for Liam’s flattering, I knew he had tricks, but I didn’t care.
Sure enough, he brought me to a room on the second floor.
The room smelled nice, there was a vanity full of skincare products, and a big bed with pale pink bedding.
On the vanity was even a photo of Sophia.
I looked at Liam helplessly, thinking, Are you really so dumb? Can’t you see this is Sophia’s room?
Liam, as if he hadn’t noticed, smiled at me: “Brother, if you like it here, rest.”
“Okay.”
I nodded.
Though I knew he was setting me up, I was too lazy to pick another room.
I wanted nothing more than a shower and then to lie dead on the bed.
Liam couldn’t help but grin, then rushed out as if afraid I’d change my mind.
I took a shower and then went to lie still.
That night I was woken by a soft cough — it was Sophia.
She stood at the bedside in a black professional skirt, her face cold, as if waiting for me to explain.
Liam murmured beside her, “Sis, I couldn’t help it — Ethan insisted on this room. I told him you were picky, but he wouldn’t listen.”
“Is it comfortable?”
Sophia held back for a moment, then asked those three words.
I’d expected her to be angry given Liam’s goading.
I rubbed my eyes, nodded seriously and said, “It’s comfortable. The incense helps me sleep.”
“Then you can sleep here.”
Sophia looked at me in surprise, apparently not expecting me to know that incense aids sleep.
Liam looked wronged and said, “Sis, you used to be upset when I came into your room. Why can Brother sleep in your room?”
“Hungry?”
Sophia ignored him and smiled at me.
I nodded and added, “But I don’t want to get out of bed.”