Divorced, Unnoticed

Dana was in the guest room putting away clothes when Kelly's voice rang out, sharp and impatient. "Dana, where are you? Get down here and make dinner!"

Dana went downstairs. Gary, Kelly, and Sandy were all sitting on the living room couch.

The moment Dana appeared, Kelly glared at her. "Why are you so slow? Just how lazy are you? Can't you see we're all hungry? Go make dinner!"

Dana's gaze swept over Sandy. "Ms. Miller is here now. Let her do it. You'll definitely like her cooking more, anyway."

Kelly snapped back at her, "Sandy's precious hands are for playing piano. How could you expect her to do chores?"

She then turned to Gary, acting all hurt. "Gary, look at her! She eats our food, lives in our house, and now, she won't even cook us a meal! Does she have any conscience at all?!"

Sandy put on a troubled expression, her voice still gentle. "Kelly, don't be upset. I have never cooked before, but I'm willing to try for you. I'm just afraid it won't taste good."

Gary's tone softened. "Sandy, just sit."

He then stood up and turned to Dana. "Dana, you go. Sandy has never done this before. She shouldn't be in the kitchen."

Dana's chest felt like it was being crushed by something, and she could feel the pain. She remembered when they were dating, Gary would hold her hands and look at her with tenderness. "Your hands are meant for painting. I'll never let you work hard."

But now?

It was as if Dana had been born to do chores, while it was suffering for Sandy to just step into the kitchen.

Gary seemed to realize his words were unfair, so he softened his tone. "If you're tired, have Mrs. Johnson help you."

Dana said nothing as she turned and walked into the kitchen. She said to Mrs. Johnson, "Please handle dinner today."

Then, she leaned against the kitchen door, making no move to do anything herself.

The next day at breakfast, Kelly suddenly set down her fork, her eyes glittering. "Gary, I never got to go to your wedding. What a shame... Why don't you have another wedding? Between you and Sandy? I want to be the bridesmaid."

Gary froze, his fork suspended in midair as he shot a quick look toward Dana. Then, he frowned at Kelly. "Kelly, stop it."

"I'm not joking." Kelly's lips quivered and her eyes reddened. "What if my depression acts up one day and I'm suddenly gone? I would regret never seeing my own brother's wedding! I would not be able to die in peace..."

Sandy reached out and gently patted Kelly's hand, sounding conflicted. "Kelly, don't say that. You'll get better. And... Dana... that would not be appropriate."

Kelly immediately turned on Dana. "Dana, you won't mind, right? I missed my brother's wedding before, and now, I want to watch him marry Sandy. You won't interfere and leave me with regrets for life, would you?"

Dana slowly set her fork and knife down, her tone calm. "It's fine. If you want to have a wedding, go ahead."

All three of them stared at her, stunned.

Gary's voice shot up, full of disbelief. "What did you say?!"