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.

"It's not just the pain. I also feel deeply regretful," Timothy whispered.

there's no quick fix for regret in

but despite the apparent hypocrisy, I've chosen to

don't you feel ashamed?"

see it as embarrassing. But truthfully, I'm completely okay with it,"

demeanor, Mia found herself momentarily speechless. In

what was said, Timothy remained

Ginger and asked, "Are you sure you don't want any of the

already have plenty.

continuing,

indifferent, paying him no attention at

hold onto the telescope, but we can

in toys,

Heath, Timothy instructed, "Did you hear that? Please take care

obeyed, efficiently clearing

there were still quite a few presents remaining. "What

for Aunt Patricia. Should

Aunt

bothered with all of

themselves seated around the

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

the meal, Patricia couldn't

array

many things for me? I couldn't possibly eat all of this