Chapter 51: Perverted Siblings

An eerie silence followed. The Quirks nearly leaped from the couch in unison. "What? Elope?"

Isabella sensed a ripple of emotion from those around her, but everyone remained seated, their eyes fixed on Rosalie, stunned by her statement. Rosalie’s face was a picture of confusion. She hadn't anticipated Isabella knowing about the unformalized agreement. She didn't want to elope; she lacked the courage, but Madeline’s persuasion had made her hesitate.

Rosalie still hoped to win her family over, but their earlier resolve had shaken her. She thought reckless action might force their acceptance of Dominic, preventing her confinement or being sent abroad. She believed that, given time, her family would realize Dominic wasn't as bad as they thought.

However, facing their incredulous stares, Rosalie felt ashamed, almost missing Isabella’s last sentence in her thoughts. Oblivious, Madeline nudged Rosalie, unwilling to let her be swayed. This movement caught Isabella’s attention.

The food delivery, Isabella realized, was ordered by Madeline. The "hooligan" had merely heated it up, pretending to have cooked it. Isabella sneered inwardly. Rosalie’s mind reeled. "No! That can't be! That incident wasn't faked!" Rosalie had claimed to taste care and affection in the meal—a testament, Isabella thought sarcastically, to a Clusian fast-food franchise. The three dishes and soup cost less than thirty; great value! Rosalie's eyes widened; Isabella’s words were too coherent to dismiss.

Isabella mused, There's a branch of that franchise in the city. I could order for her daily, show some care. If she eats it for a month, she'll get sick of it. Rosalie swayed, barely remaining upright. Madeline steadied her, pleading sorrowfully, "Please stop making things difficult for Rosie. Dom's cooking may mean nothing to you, but it's a sincere gesture. He's never done this for anyone else."

He hasn't because he can't cook! Isabella thought.

Madeline continued, her indignation unabated, "Even if you dislike Dom, don't trample on his sincerity." Her righteous rhetoric might have deceived the Quirks, were it not for Isabella’s internal commentary.

The Quirks were on the verge of laughter at Madeline’s claims. Alexander interjected, "All right. Invite your brother over."

Madeline, flustered, stammered, "Huh?"

Alexander clarified, his eyes deep, "Have him cook us a meal. If we sense his sincerity, we won't stand in his way."

Alexander's a character. This will expose the lies. Hilarious! Isabella thought. That girl's sweating bullets!

Madeline’s face paled. Rosalie clung to her. "Ask Dom to come over. He just needs to cook," she pleaded. Madeline’s face was pale. "Rosie, you know Dom's temperament; he won't agree."

"Why? Couldn't he cook for me? Doesn't he want to be with me?" Rosalie asked.

Madeline’s face darkened. "Dom knows you're making things difficult. He can't get approval by just cooking. He loves you, but he can't tolerate humiliation. How could—"

Rosalie’s expression shifted into confusion.

Christopher laughed coldly, "So, when my sister lived with him, it wasn't insulting for her to care for him, but it's insulting for us to ask him to cook? That's double standards, no?"

Madeline’s heart raced. "They cohabitated. Cooking for you is different."

David and Selena ignored her.

"Don't you see, Rosie? He can't even grant a small request. Is this the man you chose? Where's this love? All talk, no show?"

"He doesn't try to gain our approval. He only wants a secret affair. He's irresponsible and lacks commitment. He's not a decent man!"

"As your boyfriend, he never stood up for you. You've always fought and sacrificed. He enjoys your labor. Are you really going to choose him?"

Before Rosalie could react, Madeline yelled, "You can't talk about Dom like that!"

The genuine defense stunned the Quirks.

Indeed, true love. So protective. Perverted, Isabella thought.

Wait! True love? Who with whom? Everyone stared at Madeline, her enraged expression suggesting the defense of a loved one. Is she protective of her brother because…

Rosalie was shocked. She thought Isabella had lost her mind.

Alexander's voice broke the silence, "Even though you two are siblings from a blended family with no blood ties, your relationship seems stronger than that of biological siblings."

Silence descended.

Alexander's words and Isabella’s thoughts revealed the siblings’ relationship. The Quirks were shocked.

Selena asked Rosalie, incredulously, "Rosie, did you know they aren't related by blood?" Rosalie was in shock. She knew nothing of this secret. Isabella's thoughts had deeply shaken her.

David asked Alexander, "Why reveal this now?"

"To the outside world, they're a real family," Alexander explained. He'd considered it insignificant, never anticipating this situation. He thought growing up together made them siblings.

The Quirk family finally understood Isabella’s complex expression. If the siblings are romantically involved, where does Rosalie fit?