He glanced at me briefly and said softly to Jenna, "Go rest in the bedroom for a bit."
Jenna nodded, grabbed a bag of nuts and snacks, and disappeared into my bedroom.
It was just me and Brandon now. His expression hardened. "So, you finally decided to come home?"
I ignored the accusation in his tone and asked calmly, "Jenna… is eating nuts?"
I remembered when Jenna first got pregnant. I'd made her a special meal, and I'd sprinkled a few nuts on it. She'd had a severe allergic reaction, and Brandon had lost it on me.
Brandon frowned, clearly confused. "What are you talking about?"
It was obvious he didn't remember. I wasn't about to explain it. "Never mind."
He didn't push, just looked me over. "Anyway, go freshen up. It's Jen's birthday, and I've booked a private room at the karaoke bar. Just keep it light on the makeup, okay? Don't outshine the birthday girl."
I shot back without thinking, "I'm busy. You guys go ahead."
Brandon frowned, irritation flickering in his eyes. "Jen already told her friends we're throwing her a birthday party. If you don't show up, it'll be embarrassing for her. Look, I know you're feeling jealous because she's young and can have kids, but it's not Jen's fault you can't get pregnant. Why keep competing with her? Here's the deal: you celebrate her birthday tonight, and I'll grant you a wish later. You can pick anywhere you want to travel."
I hesitated for a moment, then smiled and said, "Okay."
That evening, I put on my best makeup and arrived at the KTV room right on time.
When Brandon spotted me, he was momentarily speechless. He walked over and took my hand, looking a little awestruck.
Jenna's expression shifted slightly, but she quickly regained her composure and introduced me to her friends, acting all graceful and charming.
Her long-distance boyfriend lounged in the corner, lazily blowing smoke rings as if he were the king of the room.
A waiter wheeled in the three-tier cake Brandon had ordered for her, and the atmosphere buzzed with excitement.
As she made her wishes, Jenna clasped her hands together, her smile radiant and serene, like a princess. "I have three wishes! First, Brandon can't call me a little troublemaker anymore!"
"Second, Brandon can't ignore Sylvia because of me!"
"Third, I wish I could pass my easy-pregnancy genes to Sylvia so she can have a baby for my brother soon!"