Once they stepped outside, Scarlette finally let out a breath she''d been holding.


    Nichs still had that bouquet of diamond-studded roses tucked under his arm, a smug grin on his face. "You said you needed to talk to me alone, but wasn''t the mood back there perfect? You''ve been working nonstop these past few years-l bet you barely notice the world passing by. Back at the Greenard estate, you were always so tense. Whether it was during school or after, I used to wish you''d loosen up a little. I never knew how to say it, though. All I could do was bug you, just to pull your focus away."


    Scarlette kept quiet, head down as they walked through the dim hallway. Back then, Nichs''s constant interruptions had driven her crazy.


    This little brother she''d watched grow up-he''d been born with everything. He''d never known what it was to worry, not like her-never had to wonder if he''d be left behind or thrown back into a life where every penny mattered.


    Nichs''s clinginess made her irritable, but she''d always put on a patient, gentle act, pretending to dote on him like the perfect big sister.


    She''d look at his proud little face and think, "Kids like him have it made. He''ll never understand how hard things can get."


    But she never realized, even back then, Nichs saw right through her he knew how tightly she held herself together.


    He''d grown up in a powerful family. He wasn''t naive. He just chose not to make a big deal out of most things.


    Scarlette still said nothing, and Nichs slowly slipped his hand around her waist. "So?" he coaxed. "Didn''t you have something important to tell me? Did you finallye around-want to be with me for real? Sis, if you mean it, I''ll call Colin right now. He''ll get you whatever you want: cash, gifts, anything. Just say the word." Scarlette had only made up an excuse to get away for a minute. Now, with him pressing her, she didn''t know what to say.


    She tried to step back, but bumped into the wall behind her.


    Nichs stepped closer, looking down at her. "What did you really want to say?"


    Scarlette suddenly broke into a small smile. "I was just thinking... maybe we should go see a movie together. It''s been forever since thest time, hasn''t it?"


    Nichs''s eyes went red in an instant. "Forever" was right—it had been eight, maybe nine years. Back then, Scarlette was in college, always hanging around some guy, while Nichs was stuck in high school, unable to be there all the time -unable to let anyone see what he was really feeling.


    He remembered showing up at her university, seeing herugh with some guy. The jealousy nearly ate him alive.


    He''d walked up, and Scarlette had looked surprised. "Nick? Shouldn''t you be at school? Why are you here? Are you on break?"<fne10e> ???? ????s? ???????s ?? find[?]ovel</fne10e>


    He''d felt miserable, ring at the guy next to her.


    The other guy had picked up on the tension and quickly asked, "Is this your brother?"


    Scarlette nodded. Back then, her hair was long and she had this bold, untouchable energy. She knew how to handle men.


    "Yeah, my little brother. I basically raised him."


    Nichs had worn a frosty look. He was only sixteen but obsessed with Scarlette -he thought about her every night. She rarely called, always acting like he was grown up now.


    So being grown up meant he couldn''t cling to her anymore?


    He''d known how he felt for a long time. That''s why he watched her so closely. If she didn''te home, he''d make a scene-so much so that the Greenard family didn''t know what to do with him and would end up ming Scarlette She became the model daughter in everyone''s eyes-the girl who always came home on time.  s


    People said the Greenards were strict, but really, it was Nichs who kept her on such a tight leash.


    He''d grabbed Scarlette''s wrist. "Sis,


    my school''s having a sports event, but I just wanted to see you. Are you busy this afternoon? There''s a new move out, and have two tickets! Can we go together?"


    belongs to s


    Scarlette was caught off guard. "I already promised my senior I''d go with him.


    How about Ie home and watch with you this weekend?"


    His eyes went sharp, and his grip on her wrist tightened. "No. I want to go today."


    Scarlette was so used to his


    possessiveness, it barely registered. She turned to the college guy and asked, "Is it okay if bring my


    brother? He''s really clingy, and high* school''s such an important time for him."  s


    им


    If his grades slipped because of her, the Greenard family would me her again


    -she couldn''t risk that.


    So until she was strong enough to stand on her own, she did everything she could


    to keep Nichs happy.