Marry My Ex's Sworn Enemy

Chapter 41: Setting the Rules Before the Brawl

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Sonya followed Henry downstairs, all the way to the front door. Seeing Simon, apron askew, brandishing a metal spatula, her worry intensified.

Auntie Sterling, seemingly unfazed, chased after them, cradling little Mia."Simon, get back here as soon as you're done! I can't handle everything by myself!" Sonya took Mia, reassuring Auntie Sterling.

"Jay runs a trucking team," Auntie Sterling explained, "They all work the same freight yard. Sometimes there's not enough work, so they fight over jobs. It's nothing serious, usually." This only amplified Sonya's anxiety.

Auntie Sterling chuckled, "If Simon went alone, I'd be worried. But with Henry, I'm not. He knows his limits; he won't let things get out of hand."

Sonya nodded. Mia started fussing in her arms, clearly bored.

"I'll take Mia for a walk."

A

customer called for Auntie Sterling. Turning back, she asked, "Is dinner ready?"

"I'll wait for Henry to eat."

"Sounds

good."

Auntie Sterling

rushed off to attend to her customers.

Sonya strolled down the bustling alley with Mia, a vibrant mix of street vendors. At the end of the alley stood New York University. From the iron gate, she could see the university's soccer field and the distant library, with the medical school building to the west "Yay!" Mia squealed, excitedly jumping at the sight of students playing soccer.

Sonya lifted the little one higher for a better view. It was lunchtime, and many students were collecting takeout orders.

Olivorddenly, she remembered a roommate who loved the dumplings from "Lucky Duo's- Dumpling House," frequently ordering for pickup. Once, her roommate had a dinner date and asked Sonya to pick up her order and eat them.

"Their dumplings are amazing, you should try them," Sonya thought.

Sonya rarely ate takeout; Julian Jennings disliked it. She'd become a skilled cook, spending hours commuting to their apartment to prepare his meals, grabbing a bite herself. Medical school was already demanding, but she also acted as Julian Jennings's housekeeper. How she wasn't exhausted back then, she wondered.

That time, Julian Jennings was out of town, so she agreed to fetch her roommate's order. She remembered the delivery girl, a short-haired woman with a facial injury.

with that?"

girl scoffed, "Do you New York students

"I don't," Sonya replied.

tossed

but now, she recalled how delicious those dumplings were-succulent, flavorful, three-fresh pork dumplings. She

33.1%

41: Setting

minute Mia was jumping,

left; a worker was clearing tables. Auntie Sterling brought a plate of dumplings to a private room, then

came down to find Sonya wiping tables. She quickly

this is dirty work, you

okay, I do this at

"Henry doesn't?"

past, when she and

table, leaning close to Sonya,"Men need to be kept in line. Henry's

tried his seafood noodles;

to

A thought

struck

Sonya, "He

made those

three-fresh dumplings,

right?"

Auntie Sterling recounted Henry's time studying abroad, how he'd come work at the restaurant during breaks instead of going home. His dumplings were so popular, that when he left, Simon couldn't replicate the taste, and got yelled at by New

"There was

Auntie Sterling's face fell.

"You know... Amy Smith?"

I ordered dumplings once;

thought Henry mentioned her to you." Auntie Sterling

to discuss Amy Smith further, so Sonya

Henry and Simon returned, along with a large, strong man.

carried something. Seeing Sonya, he

were

jujubes for you.

the jujubes bulging

wouldn't believe this guy. He beat the hell out of them, then insisted

"Where'd