Ferris had a distinct preference for sweet and tangy flavors. I only figured that out after attending a few family dinners at the Sterling estate. These BBQ Ribs, in particular, looked simple enough, but achieving the perfect balance of sweet and sour while retaining the rich, savory essence of the bone was actually quite difficult.
The secret lay in the caramelized glaze. The heat had to be controlled flawlessly, and the recipe required exactly nine pieces of brown sugar to hit the precise flavor profile Ferris loved.
It used to be my proudest signature dish.
But ever since the day he callously told me he was sick of it, I lost all desire to cook. If Leon hadn't specifically begged for it, this dish wouldn't even be on the table right now.
Zoey had no idea about any of this when she eagerly brought it up, but Ferris, Leon, and I were all acutely aware of the history.
I wasn't worried about Ferris exposing our marriage, but I still shot a guilty glance at Leon.
To my surprise, I caught him staring right back at me.
A second later, his gaze shifted to Ferris. His tone was perfectly casual, yet sharp. "I'm sure Dr. Sterling has tasted every delicacy Port Capital has to offer. He's probably sick of this kind of food by now."
Was it my imagination? Why did the words 'sick of' sound so heavily loaded coming from Leon?
Everyone else in the room froze. Even the head nurse hesitated for a couple of seconds before smoothly stepping in. "Oh, Leon, you don't get it. When you eat out, you're paying for novelty. When you eat here, you're tasting friendship. It's totally different!"
She quickly ushered Ferris to take a seat between Zoey and me.
The moment he sat down, the younger woman meticulously arranged his silverware for him, playing the role of the doting little wife flawlessly.
The rest of the staff exchanged subtle, secretive glances but kept their mouths shut.
Meanwhile, I felt like I was chewing on an unripe olive—an unbearable, sour bitterness flooded my mouth, and I couldn't even spit it out.
Sharing a meal with Ferris was something I had endlessly fantasized about. Yet here I was, his legal wife, forced to sit in silence and watch my husband flirt with his 'Little Mischief' right in front of me and my colleagues.
It was tragic and pathetic.

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