Summer had principles but didn''t judge others for their life choices. "Summer must have been through a lot," Simone remarked.


    A faint smile touched Leonard''s lips. "I think so, too."


    Simone noticed that the raw hostility that had clung to him since his injury had faded. He seemed less extreme, less dangerously obsessive. Although they were siblings, their rtionship had never been as close as people assumed. They had been bullied their entire childhood, and Leonard had grown up isted and sullen. Deep down, Simone had always been a little afraid of him. She had admired Aurora for being able to tame such a man.


    But now, Leonard was crippled. A woman like Aurora would never look his way again. All his sacrifices for her had been for nothing. He had given more of himself


    to Aurora than he ever had to his own sister. It was deeply unfair.


    An idea took shape in her mind. "Brother, are you free in three days?"


    Leonard nced at her. "Why?"


    "Aurora gave you so many makeup gifts recently," Simone said. "It reminded me that I''ve forgotten to give you a gift for years. I''d like to make up for all the ones I missed."


    Leonard had long since lost interest in gifts. "There''s no need for that between us," he said dismissively.


    "Even close family should keep ounts straight," she insisted with a smile. "I have to give you these gifts."


    Leonard had nothing but time on his hands now. Seeing her persistence, he didn''t refuse.


    Three dayster, Leonard arrived at the presidential suite of a hotel owned by the Lerman family. As he walked in, Simone let out a barely perceptible sigh of relief.


    She poured him a ss of red wine. "Brother, this is a wine I made myself a few years ago. Try it."


    Leonard was about to decline, but hearing that she''d made it herself, he epted the ss and took a sip.


    As she watched him drink, a strange, dark glint shed in her eyes. "Brother, wait here for a minute," she said. "I''ll be right back."


    Leonard sat on the sofa and gave a casual nod.


    About ten minutester, he heard the sound of the door opening. He looked up, curious to see what mysterious gift Simone had prepared.


    When he saw who it was, he froze. "Aurora? What are you doing here?"


    Aurora looked just as stunned to see him. "Leonard? Why are you here?"


    "Simone asked me toe," he said.


    "She invited me here, too," Aurora replied.


    At that point, they both assumed Simone was simply trying to y matchmaker something she had done before. It didnt seems particrly rming.


    Leonard immediately took out his phone to call Simone, but the call went straight to voicemail He kne then that she wouldnt be answering today. He stood up. "I''ll go find her."


    But as he rose, a strange, burning heat surged through his body. His expression changed.


    Noticing his odd reaction, Aurora asked, "Leonard, what''s wrong?"


    né


    His face grim, Leonard strode to the door and tried the handle. As he expected it was locked from the His expression darkened further.


    Still oblivious to the situation, Aurora saw his increasingly grim face and asked


    again, "Leonard, what''s going on?"