?Chapter 115:


    Overwhelmed by the attention, Rachel pleaded, “Brian, please stand up! We’re attracting stares.”


    “Let them stare. It’s just me resting on my girlfriend’sp. There’s nothing wrong with that,” he replied nonchntly.


    Frustrated, Rachel pulled at his ear and said, “Just stop it.” His logic seemedpletely ridiculous to her.


    “I don’t mind.” Abruptly, he sat up, lightly tapping her chest with his fingers. “Only I will always belong here.”


    Turning her head, Rachel refused to face him.


    He was obviously still devoted to Tracy. Why, then, should she devote her heart exclusively to him? It simply wasn’t right.


    “That will depend on your actions,” she said, then quickly got up and dashed away.


    She had only made it to the far end of the footbridge when his long arm extended and grasped her.


    Back against the railing, she was held firmly by his strong presence, his face just inches from hers.


    At that moment, the wind blew with a peculiar softness.


    Brian’s voice, as soft as the breeze, said, “Rachel, I’m sorry.”


    “For what?” she inquired, looking into his eyes.


    With earnest rity, he replied, “The issue with Doris… it was mishandled by me. In my memories, she remained the little girl who once stood no taller than my waist and followed me around all day. Doris was taken in by my parents. Having lived together so long, I truly came to view her as my little sister. As a child, she was my father’s favorite. He found it difficult to ever punish her. Whenever I found myself in trouble, she would step in and shoulder the me. This encouraged in me a deep responsibility to look out for her. Thus, when I found out she was being harassed, I felt an obligation to protect her as her brother.”


    where stories grow


    Rachel listened intently, her face etched with contemtion. It was clear to her that Brian was oblivious to the real depth of Doris’s feelings toward him.


    “Why don’t you say anything?” Brian yfully tapped her nose, his voice soft and teasing.


    “Could it be possible that Doris might…” She hesitated, the words seeming too harsh to speak out loud. She paused momentarily. “What’s on your mind? Just say it.”


    “It’s just that Doris appears to be quite attached to you.”


    Brian responded with a soft chuckle and lightly tapped her nose. “It’s just like Jeffrey’s attachment to you.”


    Choosing not to explore the topic further, Rachel felt burdened by the truths she held back.


    His justification, however, resonated more deeply than any simple apology might have.


    As a breeze fluttered by, Rachel gracefully swept a lock of hair from her face.


    Her long hair, knotted by the wind, added to her effortless charm.


    “Ouch.” She gasped, slightly annoyed as she attempted to disentangle her hair.


    After several unsessful tries, she couldn’t free it.


    “What seems to be the issue?” he asked.


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