The moment Layna heard the word "Paradise," she tensed up. And when "love letter" followed, she nearly jumped out of her skin.


    Without a second thought, Layna snatched the letter and began reading aloud, "Dear Sweetheart..."


    “Layna! Who said you could read that?” Andrew practically exploded, snatching the letter back, his face burning. "Don''t you have any manners?"


    This was his very first love letter. Andrew was mortified-he was a guy, pride was everything, and Layna airing his feelings in front of everyone made him want to vanish on the spot.


    Juliana frowned, clearly annoyed. "Andrew, why are you always picking on your cousin? Layna took the afternoon off to see you. What''s the harm in letting her read what you wrote?"


    Andrew folded the letter with exaggerated care, handed it off to another boy, and shot Juliana a re. "Auntie, my mom only had one kid. I don''t have a sister, and I never asked her toe here. Grabbing other people''s stuff-no manners at all. But I guess that''s what happens when youe from a small town."


    Andrew was the Stranz family''s notorious little rascal, never one to tter or spare anyone''s pride. As the only son, he was the crown jewel-spoiled rotten.<fn4bc3> Fresh chapters posted on find{n}ovel</fn4bc3>


    Layna, on the other hand, had grown up in an orphanage. She was first adopted by Duncan, and onlyter did the Stranz family im her. Her early years were all about survival-no parents, no one to teach her anything. If she wanted something, she had to fight for it herself.


    If she''d simply epted her fate, she''d still be at the orphanage, or living out a hard life with Duncan.


    She might still be young, but Layna knew exactly what she wanted: a better life. She was fragile, yes, and selfish at times, not above scheming to get her way. Duncan had cared for her for years, given her everything he could, but when Layna returned to the Stranz family, she didn''t look back. Not even once.


    Andrew''s words cut deep. Layna''s face turned scarlet, her eyes brimming with tears. She bit her lower lip, looking like she''d just suffered the world''s biggest injustice.


    "Andrew, apologize to your cousin," Juliana urged, noticing Layna was about to cry. "She''s family. You''re the older one-you should be more considerate." Andrew just rolled his eyes, all casual indifference. "I don''t have a sister."


    Juliana opened her mouth to argue, but Layna swallowed her hurt and put on a dazzling, crystal-bright smile. "It''s okay, Aunt Juliana. It was my fault for taking Andrew''s things. Andrew, I''m sorry. Was this letter for Paradise? Do you like her?" On the surface, Layna looked pure and innocent, but inside, jealousy was eating her alive.


    Justin liked Paradise. And now even Andrew was picking on her because of Paradise.


    Andrew didn''t even look at her. "Mind your own business."


    Juliana sighed. "Andrew, that Paradise girl isn''t right for you. She''s so spoiled and has a terrible temper..."


    "You know Paradise?" Andrew had


    no idea Layna and Paradise had beef, but hearing Juliana bad-mouth Paradise put him in a foul mood. "I think she''s great, like her and that''s all that matters."  s


    Juliana''s face turned sour.


    If it weren''t for the Stranz and


    Salstrom families being rted-and the Strafez family, being so


    powerfululiana would


    have


    bothered bringing Layna to the


    hospital at all.  s


    As they were talking, an elegant woman walked in. Spotting Juliana, she greeted


    her warmly, "Juliana, you''re here! And Layna too-you get prettier every time I see you."


    It was Andrew''s mother.


    "Hi, Mom," Andrew said.


    Layna greeted politely, "Auntie."


    Juliana smiled. "I heard Andrew was hospitalized, so I brought Layna to visit. She even took the afternoon off school."


    Andrew''s mother beamed, “Really? Layna, that''s so thoughtful of you."


    Andrew rolled his eyes at all the adult small talk. "Mom, I''m tired. I''m gonna catch a nap."


    In other words: time for everyone to clear out.


    "Oh, you..." Andrew''s mother gave him a gentle scolding, but she wouldn''t actually disturb her precious boy if he wanted to sleep.


    "If Andrew wants to rest, Layna and I will head out. We''ll stop by another time," Juliana said, picking up the hint.


    The whole visit was just for show anyway. Now that Andrew''s mother had seen them, mission aplished.


    Andrew''s mother nodded. “Let me walk you downstairs."


    As they rode the elevator down, Juliana couldn''t help but add, "Cynthia, Andrew''s already eleven. Kids his age get crushes so easily You might want to keep an eye on him. Tjust saw him writing adove letter-for that Salstrom girl, you know, the one from the other side of the family."


    s