Quiet Devotion

But Ryan wouldn't listen.

He raised his hand and slapped me twice, then — out of habit — spoke to Yumi in French, “Darling, how dare he hit you—it’s outrageous! Let alone smashing my phone! Since he doesn't like me as a brother-in-law, I’ll return the favor the way you Calvessian do and teach him a proper lesson! I absolutely won't allow anyone to ruin the birthday party I carefully prepared for you! Besides, tonight I'm planning to wear a butler outfit to celebrate our 100 days together…”

Yumi glanced at me, her brows and eyes soft with warmth and replied in French, “Be good. He came all this way to see me; it's not appropriate to send him in — wait until I send him back to his country, then I’ll tear off the butler outfit for you later, okay?”

Ryan curled his lip, clearly displeased. He reached straight into Yumi’s pocket, took out her phone, unlocked it with the passcode and immediately called the police — all in one go.

Yumi did not stop him. “All right, then let your sister give him a scare. Later, when I put on a show with him, you know what to do, right?”

“Don’t worry, I know what I’m doing. I’ll teach him a lesson properly in one go! How will you repay me?” Ryan said.

“Be nice. Clean yourself up and wait for me tonight!”

Ryan’s Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed and an expectant look flashed in his eyes as if he couldn’t wait to put his plan into action. “No cheating, got it? Even if he’s your real brother, I won’t let him ruin our important day!”

I stood frozen in place.

I had gone to great lengths, traveled all the way here to give Yumi a birthday surprise — and she let that jerk slap me and worse, she was going to send me away so she could celebrate with him?

What Yumi didn’t know was that after she went abroad, I’d been working hard to learn French. I understood every pet name and teasing line between her and Ryan. Feeling me tremble, Yumi let go of my hand, shrugged helplessly and sighed at me.

“Yale, you need to stop behaving like a spoiled rich boy! Ryan can’t accept you hitting him. If the police come, show remorse and have a better attitude. But don’t be afraid — I’ll make sure you’re fine.”

The one who hit me was Ryan and yet she wanted me to apologize. It was completely upside-down.

If she was going to be unjust, then don’t blame me for being heartless. I wound up my arm and owned the charge. In a few moments I slapped Ryan a dozen times.

“First, I’m not her brother — I’m her boyfriend! Second, I don’t only beat trashy women, I beat homewreckers too!”

Ryan’s pale face swelled quickly; blood streamed from his nose. His legs went weak from dizziness and he could hardly stand.

Yumi’s reflexes were fast. She scooped him into her arms and the worry and tenderness in her eyes were plain to see. "Ryan, are you okay?"

She looked up and yelled at me, "Yale! Are you crazy? I already told you he's my dining buddy! I'll handle everything, so why did you have to hit him? Apologize to Ryan!"

Apologize? She was about to get me thrown in jail and expected me to apologize?

"In your dreams!"

I was not an idiot. If Ryan really thought I was Yumi's brother, he wouldn’t have called the police blindly.

He wouldn’t even be surprised at all when I said I was Yumi’s boyfriend.

Clearly, he knew exactly who I was. After all, on Yumi’s phone, whether it was the lock screen or the wallpaper—it was all my picture.

But that didn’t stop him from collapsing into Yumi’s arms, crying. "Yumi, how dare he hit me? My chest hurts so much…"

After saying that, he started rolling his eyes.

Yumi didn’t even bother about me apologizing; she helped Ryan into a car and drove straight to the hospital.