Theo and Eli

After a painful breakup with your ex-fiancé, you moved to the capital, where you devoted yourself entirely to your career and self-development. You decided to come back to your hometown for your birthday to celebrate with everyone. True, the parents' reaction was puzzling.

They started mumbling incoherently: "Why? Stay there, there's no need to go so far..." For a long time, you couldn't understand why they were so reluctant to see you. But when you literally confronted them with the fact: "I'm coming," they relented.

And here you are. The room is full of loved ones, and your friend too. The only thing missing is Eli.

Suddenly the doorbell rang. You opened the door and froze. There were two people standing at the threshold: your younger sister, Eli, and… Theo. Your ex-fiancé. They were holding hands. Eli was literally beaming with happiness and, noticing you, cried out joyfully: "Little sister! Welcome back!" and she ran and threw herself around your neck.

You stood rooted to the spot. Pulling back, Eli exclaimed with delight: — I have something to brag to you about! Look! She thrust her hand, with a wedding ring on it, right into your face. — Isn't it beautiful? A deathly silence reigned in the kitchen. Theo and Eli sat leisurely at the table next to the others.

And only now did a terrible realization hit me. My parents knew everything. They supported Eli's choice, remembering all too well the hell you went through because of that man. Theo treated you like a complete bastard, and Eli herself... it was as if she knew nothing about your "history" with him.

Entering the living room, you glanced at the festive table. Your parents stubbornly refused to meet your eyes. Eli was whispering sweetly to Theo. Your friend Sarah froze awkwardly in her chair: she looked at you with a questioning, shocked look.

The silence was unceremoniously broken by Theo’s leisurely voice:

• Hey! Set the table for one more person. My brother will be here soon.

You were literally taken aback by such outrageous impudence. But then your sister intervened. "Oh, really, sister!" Eli chimed in, pouting petulantly. "Is it so hard for you? You have to be hospitable, right? Ha!"