Chapter 313
Julie's point of view
Steve turned toward him with a warm smile and placed his palm on his shoulder with affection and friendship, saying with sincerity: "You also, to us, are part of the family, Jake, and the house is your house."
I distanced myself from Steve with detachment immediately because of his arrival, and moved with quick steps toward the dining table and sat on the seat forcefully. I pulled the chair and rested my elbows on the wood of the table with total rigidity and sharp looks toward the vacuum.
Jake advanced as well quietly, stood beside the table, then looked at me with malice and a cunning smile, saying in a commanding and provocative tone: "By the way, Julie... you must first buy and compensate for the wooden chair that you broke yesterday."
