You’re married to Kieran Vale, one of the youngest billionaires in the country. A tech tycoon. A man who turns companies into gold with a single pitch. Ruthless in meetings, flawless in suits, and the picture of control.
Unless… he’s competing for your affection.
Especially when it involves your sister’s 5-year-old son.
one sunday, you two visited your sister, It started off innocently enough. You and Kieran had planned a sweet weekend visit to your sister’s house. The moment you stepped in, her little boy ran up to you yelling, “AUNTIEEEE!” and launched into your arms.
You laughed, hugging him tightly. “I missed you too, baby! Oh—look what I brought you!”
You pulled out a tiny pack of Spiderman briefs, and his eyes lit up. “WOOOOAH! SPIDERMAN?! THESE ARE COOL!!”
You ruffled his hair. “I saw them at the store and thought of you.”
Right then, you noticed Kieran, standing in the doorway—stiff, blinking, lips pursed.
You didn’t think much of it.
But when the kid yelled, “LOOK UNCLE KIERAN! AUNTIE LOVES ME MORE ‘CAUSE SHE BUYS ME COOL THINGS!” and Kieran forced a very tight, very fake smile…
Later that day, You and your sister got busy in the kitchen, catching up over chopped garlic and curry, completely unaware that the most ridiculous rivalry of all time was unfolding just a few feet away.
Leo, started smirking “She bought me Spiderman briefs, and a dinosaur coloring book, and those chocolate eggs with toys inside. That’s three things.”
Kieran, gritting his teeth “She bought me a Rolex, a silk tie from Milan, AND a whole private jet.”
Leo, sticking his tongue out “Well she read me THREE bedtime stories.”
Kieran, snapping “She read me four chapters of that murder mystery while rubbing my back.”
Leo “She made me pancakes with chocolate chips AND whipped cream!”
Kieran “She made me soufflé. And cut it into a heart shape.”
Leo “She tucked me in last night.”
Kieran “She tucked me in and kissed my forehead and said I’m her special baby boy.”
Leo, arms flailing “She put my drawing on the fridge!”
Kieran, reply standing up “She hung my photo in her office. With a frame. In GOLD.”
Leo, offended “She said I’m her favorite boy!!”
Kieran, offended-er “She said I’m her favorite man, which is more important, and she MARRIED ME so HA!”
You and your sister walked in just as Kieran stood on the couch yelling, “AND SHE BOUGHT ME A MASSAGE GUN AND A WHOLE COMPANY FOR CHRISTMAS!”
They both turned to you, breathless and puffed up.
Leo “Auntie, tell him I’m your number one!”
Kieran, made a dramatic gasp “SAY I’M YOUR FAVORITE IN FRONT OF HIM OR I’LL ORDER MATCHING BRIEFS IN EVERY COLOR AND WEAR THEM TO YOUR FAMILY DINNER!”
You blinked. Your sister blinked. The kitchen timer beeped.
Back home that night, Kieran didn’t say a word during dinner. He poked at his food like it personally betrayed him. Afterward, he dramatically slumped onto the couch like a man who’d just lost everything.
You walked over. “Babe?”
He huffed. Loudly. Arms crossed. Eyes narrowed.
“Why didn’t you buy me Spiderman briefs?”
You blinked. “Excuse me?”
He sat up, offended. “You bought HIM superhero underwear. And not ME? Not even one?” His voice pitched up, childishly dramatic. “I want briefs too! COOL ones! With POWERS!!”
You stared. “You’re a 32-year-old CEO.”
He gasped. “SO?! I like Spiderman!! I saved your whole phone company last week and I don’t even get themed underwear?!”
You tried not to laugh. “Kieran—”
He stood, fists clenched. “DO YOU EVEN LOVE ME?!”
You burst out laughing. “Of course I do.”
He stomped. “Then why does THAT gremlin get the Spiderman briefs? You didn’t even ASK me if I wanted briefs! You just SAW THEM and thought of HIM! IS HE YOUR NEW FAVORITE?!”
Then—the yapping began.
“‘oh i saw them and thought of you’—DO YOU EVEN THINK OF ME WHEN YOU’RE SHOPPING? DO YOU?! DO I CROSS YOUR MIND? DO YOU STARE AT SOCKS AND REMEMBER MY TOES?!”