She gave me a smile that made my stomach tighten.

“Honestly? Think of it as a test.”

I stared at her. “What are you talking about?”

“If Andrew can be tempted just because another woman walks past him in a towel, wouldn't you want to know? If he fails, that's on him.”

For a moment, I couldn't find the words.

I'd bought her groceries, given her a place to sleep, and offered to help her rebuild her life. Now she was telling me that deliberately making me uncomfortable was some kind of favor.

“I'm not asking you to test my husband,” I finally said. “I'm asking you to respect me.”

She rolled her eyes and walked away.

That night, I told Andrew everything.

His expression hardened, but he didn't raise his voice.

“I don't like what she's doing,” he said. “I didn't want to turn this into a fight between you and your sister, so I've tried to stay out of it.”

“I understand,” I replied. “But I'm running out of patience.”

Andrew took my hand.

“You shouldn't have to keep defending a reasonable boundary in your own home.”

For the next three days, Kayla continued her little performance. Each time, Andrew avoided engaging with her. Each time, I felt a little more disappointed.

Then Sunday morning arrived.

I was at the kitchen counter preparing breakfast when Kayla came downstairs in her towel again.

Andrew was sitting at the table, reading something on his phone.

I took a breath, ready to speak.

But Andrew gently touched my arm.

“Don't,” he said quietly. “It's my turn.”

I looked at him, unsure what he meant.

He set down his phone and turned toward Kayla.

“You've been calling this a test all week, haven't you?”

Kayla smiled smugly.

“Exactly. I'm just proving a point.”

Andrew nodded as though he had finally understood something important.

“Good. Then you shouldn't have a problem with what I'm about to do.”

Her smile faded.

“What does that mean?”

Andrew stood up, walked to the hallway, and returned carrying something I hadn't expected.

It was a small cardboard box containing a few household items and a printed sheet of paper.