Rodrigo was already heading for the door.
“Use my credit card for today’s stuff,” he called over his shoulder. He waved a hand. “Do whatever you need to do. Just make sure the house is spotless and dinner’s hot when we get back. I don’t want any drama with my brother.”
“Are you actually serious right now?”
He came back, leaned down, kissed my forehead, and smiled.
“Love you. Relax a little.”
And he walked out the door behind the others.
From the front window, I watched the three of them pile into George’s SUV, laughing. Nobody had carried my suitcase in from the porch. Nobody had asked if I wanted to come.
The SUV backed out of the driveway and disappeared.
I stood in the middle of that filthy kitchen for a long time.
Then I opened the refrigerator.
Half a lemon. Three cans of beer. A jar of salsa that expired in March. A takeout container that smelled like something had died in it.
My phone buzzed.
A text from Rodrigo.
Thanks for understanding, babe. Just handle the house with my card. I’ll make it up to you later.
I stared at those words. Then I looked down at the chore list in my hand.
Breakfast. Deep clean. Lunch for six. Scrub bathrooms.
And slowly, I smiled.
Because Rodrigo had made one very basic mistake.
He’d married a woman who calculates the exact cost of labor for a living. Every day. All day.
And he’d just handed me a job, a budget, and written authorization.
They’d asked me to manage the house.
So I was going to manage it. Professionally.
Sophia Rivers is an experienced News Content Editor with a sharp eye for detail and a passion for delivering accurate and engaging news stories. At TheArchivists, she specializes in curating, editing, and presenting news content that informs and resonates with a global audience.
Sophia holds a degree in Journalism from the University of Toronto, where she developed her skills in news reporting, media ethics, and digital journalism. Her expertise lies in identifying key stories, crafting compelling narratives, and ensuring journalistic integrity in every piece she edits.
Known for her precision and dedication to the truth, Sophia thrives in the fast-paced world of news editing. At TheArchivists, she focuses on producing high-quality news content that keeps readers informed while maintaining a balanced and insightful perspective.
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