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.

that?" Sonya had

you New York students all enjoy feeling superior by pitying

"I don't," Sonya replied.

whatever." The girl tossed

bewildered then, but now, she recalled how delicious those dumplings were-succulent, flavorful, three-fresh pork dumplings. She later ordered them

33.1%

41: Setting the Rules

fickle. One minute Mia was jumping, the next, she was yawning,

returned with Mia. Most customers had left; a worker was clearing tables. Auntie Sterling brought a plate of dumplings to a private room, then saw her

find Sonya wiping tables. She

is dirty work,

do this at

"Henry doesn't?"

remembering the past, when she and

me tell you," Auntie Sterling efficiently wiped the table, leaning close to Sonya,"Men need to be kept in line. Henry's cooking is fantastic;

his seafood

used to work here

A thought

struck

Sonya, "He

made those

three-fresh dumplings,

right?"

the restaurant during breaks instead of going home. His dumplings were

the coincidence. "There was a short-haired girl

Auntie Sterling's face fell.

"You know... Amy Smith?"

I ordered

her to you." Auntie Sterling sighed,

Amy Smith further, so Sonya

along with a large, strong man.

carried something. Seeing Sonya, he

were

jujubes for you.

jujubes bulging from his

believe this guy. He beat the hell out of them, then insisted on going home with them to pick jujubes afterwards!" Henry grinned, "Separate issues.

"Where'd