This wasn''t the kind of attention Nichs was hoping for.


    Morgan strolled over, gently took the cigarette from her hand, and ced it between his own lips. The reasons behind Morgan and Scarlette bing a couple wereplicated, but they genuinely appreciated each other. Scarlette didn''t mind his past, and he didn''t mind hers; there was mutual respect. If marriage were like running a business, they''d make excellent partners, just without the passion. But passion fades eventually, right? In marriage, two people end up more like family, a lot like how they were now.


    Morgan took a drag and winced; the cigarette was too harsh. Meanwhile, Nichs was downstairs, feeling his heart pounding uncontrobly. He got into his car, and his phone rang. It was his dad, and he sounded probing.


    "I heard you''ve been giving your sister a hard timetely?"


    Nobody in the Greenard family knew about their intimacy, but they sensed Nichs''s affection for Scarlette. When she decided to leave the family, everyone felt relieved. Nichs started the car, swallowing the bitterness. "Who told you that? It''s not true."


    "A business partner mentioned it today. They said you''ve been messing with your sister''s projects."


    People just couldn''t keep quiet. Nichs rubbed his eyes, catching a glimpse of his red eyes in the rearview mirror.


    "Dad, don''t buy into their nonsense. You know how much she''s been avoiding me. All because of those rumors, our family''s a mess."


    Mr. Greenard sighed. Rumors could be dangerous, and if left unchecked, they could bring shame to the entire family. When Scarlette moved out, he and his wife stayed silent. They''d always treated her well, but Nichs was their son.


    "You''ve always been too attached to your sister, even as a kid."


    Nichs felt a pang in his chest, taking a moment before replying, "Christmas is next month. Isn''t sheing back for dinner?"


    If she came back, they''d see each other. Her n to leave the country would be stopped. Mr. Greenard checked the calendar. "I''ll call her. You need to mature a bit, stop putting her in tough spots. If you weren''t so clingy, there wouldn''t be rumors forcing her to leave."


    Nichs stayed quiet. He hadn''t hidden his feelings, thinking that being together meant forever, that their status would change. By showing his emotions, he''d pushed her away.


    “Dad, I get it. I just worry about her being out there alone. Make sure Mom calls her often. Oh, and it''s Mom''s birthday this month. Scarlette always got her gifts. She shoulde back for that."


    Mr. Greenard chuckled. "No need to remind me. Your mom''s already called her, and she said she''de back for dinner."


    Nichs sighed in relief. He''d see her this month and next, and since Scarlette wasn''t bringing Morgan home, he had plenty of time.