Mia wasn’t the least bit worried about any punishment. After all, there was nothing Andre could really hold over her. So when her vacation got canceled as a consequence, she just shrugged it off.
“Fine, no big deal,” she snapped, “I wasn’t dying to go on a trip with you anyway.”
But when Andre opened his mouth again, Mia’s temper flared up. “That ice cream is off-limits for you, mister. Don’t even dream about having a scoop this summer!”
“Andre! You wouldn’t dare!” Mia challenged, but Andre had already given the orders.
Fuming, Mia gave Andre’s arm a good slap. “Why did I even marry someone so controlling?” she muttered, storming out of the living room and leaving Andre to stew.
The staff, unsure of what to do, whispered among themselves about whether Mrs. Andre’s anger meant they could keep the ice cream.
Watching Mia leave, Andre headed to Naomi’s room. “Naomi, hand over Henry,” he called.
Naomi and Bruce held onto their little bundle of joy. “Mia, let Henry hang out with Naomi tonight. He’s staying put.”
Mia pointed at the chubby little guy in his uncle’s arms. “Henry, get over here.”
Henry, having come to terms with the name after much crying, clung tighter to his uncle’s neck, sensing his mom’s fury. This endearing move made his uncle melt, leading to some shameless spoiling.
This habit, developed in infancy, meant that in future mischief, when Mia was on the warpath, Henry would dart behind his uncle and aunt for cover.
“If you don’t show up tonight, don’t bother coming back at all. Just as infuriating as your dad,” Mia huffed, slamming her bedroom door.
“Mr. Andre, should we still hand out the ice cream?” the staff inquired.
Andre instructed, “Take half to those braving the heat outside, and keep the rest for us.”
The staff chuckled, “Mr. Andre, you sure do spoil her.”
Andre scoffed, “She doesn’t see it that way.”
She didn’t care about going away with him, wondered why she married him—despite his endless love, she just grew bolder.
In her room, Mia fumed at her desk. Andre, changing clothes, didn’t say a word and went to fetch his son. Naomi and Bruce still wouldn’t budge.
At dinner, when called, Mia stubbornly declared, “I’m not eating. Just ice cream.”
Andre told the staff, “If she’s not eating, let her be.”
Downstairs, Henry sat naked in his special chair, his dad on one side, the other side empty. “Mommy~ Mommy,” he called.
Andre mixed his food and fed him a spoonful. “Your mom’s not eating,” he said.
Despite Hansen’s objections, they ended up donating another prized vase, but managed to keep one set.
In her room, Mia chatted with Molly, “Got any plans this weekend? Wanna hang out?”
Molly asked, “Bringing the guys?”
“Nope.”
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