Chapter 175

The Tiny Sulker

Years later, Jennie learned something terrifying.

There was now a smaller version of Lisa living in their house.

A much smaller version.

A four-year-old version.

And somehow?

She was even more dramatic.

Her name was Ruby.

The family’s beloved baby dumpling.

A child who looked almost exactly like Jennie.

Same cheeks.

Same eyes.

Same tiny pout.

But personality?

Unfortunately for Jennie…

That came from Lisa.

Especially when it came to sulking.

—

The tragedy happened on a Monday morning.

A completely normal morning.

At least it started that way.

Jennie had an important meeting.

Lisa had an early appointment.

Everyone was rushing around the house.

Breakfast.

Coffee.

Bags.

Schedules.

Chaos.

Pure chaos.

In the middle of all that chaos sat Ruby.

Still sleepy.

Still clutching her favorite dumpling plushie.

Waiting patiently at the dining table.

Because every morning followed a sacred routine.

Mommy kissed her forehead.

Mommy kissed both cheeks.

Mommy squished her face.

Mommy told her she was adorable.

Then the day officially started.

Ruby took this routine very seriously.

Very.

Seriously.

Unfortunately…

Jennie was distracted.

One phone call.

Then another.

A message from work.

A forgotten document.

And before she realized it-

“Bye baby!”

Jennie rushed out the door.

Ruby blinked.

The front door closed.

Silence.

The little girl sat frozen.

Her tiny brain processing what had just happened.

Then-

Her lower lip trembled.

Slowly.

Dangerously.

“Mama.”

Lisa looked up from her coffee.

“Yeah?”

Ruby looked absolutely devastated.

“Mommy forgot.”

Lisa immediately knew.

Oh no.

Not this.

—

Ruby spent the next ten minutes sitting dramatically on the couch.

Holding her dumpling plushie.

Looking like she’d just experienced the greatest betrayal in human history.

Lisa was trying very hard not to laugh.

Because unfortunately…

Ruby looked exactly like Jennie when she sulked.

It was horrifying.

And adorable.

Mostly adorable.

“Mama.”

“Yes?”

“Mommy forgot my cheekies.”

Lisa almost choked.

“Oh.”

Ruby nodded sadly.

“My cheekies.”

The tiny hand touched her face.

Like she was mourning something.

Lisa was losing the battle.

Hard.

“That’s very serious.”

Ruby nodded.

Very seriously.

“The most serious.”

—

When Jennie called during lunch.

Lisa answered.

Immediately.

“You forgot.”

Jennie froze.

“What did I forget?”

A pause.

Then realization hit.

“Oh no.”

“Oh yes.”

Jennie looked horrified.

“Ruby?”

“Ruby.”

“Is she crying?”

“No.”

“Worse.”

Jennie’s soul left her body.

“Worse?”

“She’s sulking.”

Silence.

Then-

“Oh no.”

Lisa laughed.

“Exactly.”

—

The damage was severe.

By afternoon Ruby had entered full Lisa Mode.

The legendary sulking mode.

The one Jennie knew all too well.

When Jennie arrived home she found her daughter sitting on the living room floor.

Arms crossed.

Dumpling plushie beside her.

Watching cartoons.

Very intensely.

Very dramatically.

Jennie immediately dropped her bag.

“My baby!”

Ruby glanced at her.

Then looked away.

Jennie gasped.

Lisa laughed from the couch.

“Good luck.”

—

Jennie knelt beside her daughter.

“Ruby?”

No response.

“Baby?”

Nothing.

“Princess?”

Still nothing.

The betrayal.

The rejection.

The disrespect.

Jennie felt like she was being punished for crimes against humanity.

“Ruby.”

The little girl finally spoke.

Without looking at her.

“Hello.”

The exact same tone Lisa used years ago.

Jennie nearly fainted.

Lisa was openly laughing now.

—

“Baby, I’m sorry.”

Nothing.

“I forgot.”

Nothing.

“It was an accident.”

Nothing.

Jennie looked at Lisa.

Lisa simply sipped her tea.

Absolutely useless.

Traitor.

—

Jennie sighed.

Then scooped Ruby into her arms.

The child immediately tried maintaining her sulk.

Unfortunately she was four years old.

Which made it difficult.

Especially when Jennie started kissing her forehead.

One kiss.

Then another.

Then another.

Ruby’s resolve weakened immediately.

“Mommy.”

Another kiss.

“I’m sad.”

Another kiss.

“I know.”

Another kiss.

“You forgot my cheekies.”

Jennie’s heart shattered.

“I know.”

—

Then came the apology campaign.

A campaign that looked suspiciously similar to what Jennie once did for Lisa.

Because apparently history enjoyed bullying her.

Jennie kissed Ruby’s forehead.

Then her left cheek.

Then her right cheek.

Then both cheeks repeatedly.

Squish.

Kiss.

Squish.

Kiss.

Squish.

Kiss.

Until Ruby started giggling.

“Moooommy!”

“There are the cheekies!”

Another kiss.

“The cutest cheekies.”

Kiss.

“The squishiest cheekies.”

Kiss.

“The most precious cheekies.”

Kiss.

Ruby’s laughter filled the room.

—

Five minutes later the sulking was completely gone.

Ruby was curled in Jennie’s lap.

Receiving unlimited cuddles.

Unlimited forehead kisses.

Unlimited affection.

Like a tiny spoiled princess.

Which she absolutely was.

Lisa watched the entire thing.

Looking amused.

Very amused.

Jennie narrowed her eyes.

“This is your fault.”

“My fault?”

“She got that attitude from you.”

Lisa gasped dramatically.

“Excuse me.”

“You know exactly what I’m talking about.”

Ruby suddenly looked between them.

Then proudly announced,

“I got Mama’s sulky powers.”

Lisa immediately high-fived her.

Jennie groaned.

“Oh no.”

“Oh yes,” Lisa said proudly.

“Our daughter is perfect.”

Ruby nodded.

“Perfect.”

Jennie looked at the two identical troublemakers.

One adult.

One miniature.

Both smiling innocently.

And she realized something terrible.

There would soon be two Lisas in the house.

The thought alone was enough to give her a headache.

But then Ruby climbed into her arms.

Pressed her tiny cheek against Jennie’s face.

And whispered,

“I still love Mommy.”

Jennie’s heart melted instantly.

“I love you too, baby.”

The little girl smiled.

Then added-

“But don’t forget my cheekies again.”

Lisa burst out laughing.

And Jennie immediately promised herself she would never, ever forget the sacred cheekie-kissing routine again.

Because surviving one sulky Lisa had been difficult enough.

Surviving a sulky Ruby?

That was a challenge even the mighty Kim Jennie wasn’t prepared for.