Chapter 59
59:
The moment Rosie spotted Ethan, she turned her attention to him and approached him with a dazzling smile. “Ethan, you’re here! I’ve picked a few outfits. Can you help me decide which ones look best?”
At the same time, Giselle approached Brenna, taking her hand with motherly affection. “Brenna, come take a look. See if there’s anything you like. I wasn’t sure about your style since you’ve been away from me for so many years.”
Brenna hadn’t even spoken when Ethan’s expression darkened slightly. Rosie had already picked out more than twenty outfits, leaving the remaining selection for Brenna. If Brenna were to choose from what was left, wouldn’t she be choosing the unwanted ones?
Brenna surveyed the assortment of clothes before her. None of them interested her. During her years with the Barretts, new clothes had been a rarity, but she had never minded. Her time had been consumed by studying and sketching designs for the family, leaving little room for such concerns.
Now that she finally had the freedom to choose, Rosie had already taken the finest selections. A flicker of annoyance passed through Brenna. She would rather walk away empty-handed than settle for leftovers.
Rosie, smug with satisfaction, caught the subtle shift in Brenna’s demeanor. Her plan had worked—Brenna was clearly displeased. What did it matter if Ethan had personally escorted Brenna back? She still managed to make Brenna feel upset.
Rosie was determined to make sure Brenna felt unhappy.
Sliding up beside her, Rosie looped her arm through Brenna’s with a show of warmth. Feigning an apologetic look, she said, “Brenna, I saw these clothes and figured you wouldn’t mind if I picked out a few for myself first. You don’t mind, do you?”
She gestured to the remaining outfits and added, “There’s still plenty left for you. You won’t hold it against me for picking some clothes first.”
The store’s selection was undoubtedly high-end, and Rosie’s taste was different from Brenna’s. But even though there were still some elegant pieces left that Brenna liked, she had no interest in getting what was left.
With a faint smile, Brenna eased her arm away, putting space between them. “I don’t mind,” she replied.
Rosie’s satisfaction deepened at the sight of Brenna’s restrained irritation. She had gotten to her. The clothes she had chosen were the most luxurious of the lot—not because she loved them but because she wanted to make a stance.
“Go ahead and pick something,” she said, her tone dripping with false generosity.
Giselle approached, her expression tinged with guilt. She had known it was unfair to let Rosie choose first, but Rosie’s enthusiasm had made it difficult to deny her. Besides, she didn’t want Rosie to feel overlooked just because Brenna was now part of the family.
So, she had allowed Rosie to choose first, a pang of guilt tugging at her for Brenna.
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