When Ryden woke up, Terrence and Sherry were still asleep.
In the kitchen, Aunt Laura was already up.
She hummed softly while making breakfast, her complexion rosy.
When she noticed Ryden, her face seemed to redden-barely noticeable unless you looked closely.
Black people were naturally good at hiding expressions.
"You're up, Ryden. Did you sleep well last night?" Aunt Laura said warmly. "You didn't need to get up so early. Breakfast will be ready soon. Go rest more. Sleeping is good for your body."
The scene felt oddly familiar.
Very similar to how Aunt Sarah used to act.
Ryden didn't dare think too much.
He lowered his head, then pulled a thick bundle of U.S. dollars from his backpack.
In his heart, he mocked himself.
Did this count as post-event consolation?
"Aunt Laura, here's five thousand dollars. Please keep it," Ryden said calmly. "Terrence is going to school, and Sherry will need to study too. The pressure will only increase. They shouldn't have to suffer. If the money isn't enough, just tell me."
Aunt Laura's expression changed.
"What are you saying?" She frowned, hands on her apron. "Take it back. I don't need your money."
Ryden felt wrongly accused.
"No, that's not what I meant," he said quickly. "It's just... my maid has something to take care of, so I need to hire someone else. Terrence will be boarding at the military academy anyway. Why not let Sherry go to Boston to study too?"
He paused.
"It avoids future risks, and the education there is better."
Aunt Laura hesitated.
"That... transferring schools is troublesome. And my job here is fine."
"Listen to me," Ryden said, firmer now. "I'll handle Sherry's school. You don't need to keep working. Just take care of the kids at home."
He made the decision.
A man had to be firm when it mattered.
"Alright," Aunt Laura laughed, clearly in a better mood. "I'll listen to you, my little hero. So..."
She looked at him teasingly.
"How much are you paying me?"
"Two hundred a month," Ryden replied quickly. "Same as before. Groceries are separate. Cook something nicer, and let Sherry come eat with us. That's it."
Seeing the laughter in her eyes, Ryden knew he couldn't stay any longer.
He grabbed a burger sandwich and fled.
Back home, Sera was already up.
She hummed while drinking milk and frying eggs, clearly in a good mood.
"Yo, you're back," she said casually. "Running around and not coming home, sleeping at the neighbors' instead. What, afraid to sleep alone without your sister here?"
"No such thing," Ryden replied. "By the way, I'm planning to have Aunt Laura work for me. Sherry will go to Boston to study. My previous maid has something to deal with."
He hesitated slightly.
"Was there any trouble last night?"
"Nope," Sera said easily. "The Dasco Gang is basically finished. The Spades Gang took over. Don't know where they crawled out from. The captain was bribed too."
She shrugged.
"Counts as saving face. Last time, Dasco even alarmed the mayor. This time, things went smoothly."
She glanced at him.
"By the way, how did you get the Spades Gang to help you? I heard there were heavy weapons last night. Grenades too."
Her gaze sharpened.
Her brother was becoming harder and harder to read.
Ryden didn't explain.
Some things were better left unsaid.
"The enemy of our enemy is our friend," he said simply. "As long as revenge is taken, nothing else matters. Stark Industries is hot right now. Getting weapons isn't hard."
He looked at her seriously.
"I just don't want anything to happen to you. And it won't. If there's trouble, I'll handle it."
Sera smiled instantly.
Now that was a good brother.
She hooked an arm around his neck and poked his forehead lightly.
"At least you know your place. Now give me some money. Your sister is broke. You're supporting me for life."
Ryden finally relaxed.
He wasn't used to this kind of closeness.
He pulled out two neatly stapled bundles of cash-part of last night's take.
"Ten thousand. Use it for now," he said. "Supporting you is easy. As long as you don't get married, I'll support you."
He added quickly.
"If you get married, that guy supports you."
Sera accepted the crisp bills happily.
"What if I never get married?" she asked playfully.
Ryden snorted inwardly.
Yeah, right.
"You'll marry the first handsome guy you like," he said. "If you never get married, fine, I'll support you. No-if you don't have a boyfriend, I'll support you for life."
He looked at her sideways.
"I'm not paying for you to date other men."
He was a selfish bastard.
A hypocrite.
Not a saint.
He'd settle every grudge and flirt with every girl.
Sera laughed, covering her mouth.
Her eyes curved into crescents.
She had never been happier.
"So you even get jealous?" she teased. "Don't worry. Your sister won't just marry anyone. At the very least, he has to be like you."
She extended her finger.
"Deal. If I don't get a boyfriend and don't get married, you support me for life. Pinky swear. Lifetime contract."
Ryden hesitated, then extended his finger.
He didn't know what was wrong with her today.
But seeing her hopeful expression made his heart tighten.
"Alright. Pinky swear. Lifetime," he said. "But it doesn't count if you get a boyfriend."
"Got it!" Sera laughed. "Silly brother. I'm heading to work."
She ruffled his hair before leaving, her heart sweet as sugar.
Silly brother.
If you knew the truth, would you still keep your promise?
For a brief moment, Sera felt a trace of melancholy.
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