Chapter 221 No Longer Hidden


    Abraham nced at her, then finally let her go and turned to pick up his phone.


    It was Abel calling.


    At this hour?


    Abraham’s expression darkened. He stepped aside to answer, his voice cold. “Speak.”


    Seeing him walk out to take the call, Ste’s heart kept pounding wildly.


    She had a strong feeling this wasn’t over.


    Barely a minuteter, Abraham returned from the balcony, still holding the phone, his face cold.


    “Weren’t you tired? Why aren’t you sleeping?”


    “I am, I am! I’m going right now,” Ste said quickly.


    She dove straight into the covers, desperate for him not to ask anything more.


    But… what about tomorrow?


    Her neck was covered in bruises, and it definitely wouldn’t fade in just a few days.


    Seeing her burrow into the nket, Abraham’s cold expression softened slightly with a touch of helplessness<b>. </b>


    He walked over, picked her up, andid her t on the bed. “How many times do I have to tell you? Don’t sleep curled up like that it’s bad for your heart.”


    Ste stayed silent.


    <i>I </i><i>just </i><i>want </i><i>to </i><i>be </i>an ostrich <i>right </i>now.


    <i>Once </i>you <i>leave</i><i>, </i>I’ll <i>flip </i><i>over </i><i>on </i><i>my </i><i>own</i>, <i>okay</i>?


    Abraham pulled the nket over her properly. Before getting up, his fingers brushed lightly against the bruises on her neck.


    Ste’s nerves instantly tightened.


    Abraham said meaningfully, “With bruises like these, it won’t heal in less than a week.”


    Ste’s breathing hitched.


    <i>Was </i>that <i>really </i><i>necessary</i>?


    Wait


    what did he mean by that?


    Does he… <i>actually </i><i>remember </i><i>everything</i><i>? </i>


    As Abraham straightened up, Ste panicked and grabbed the front of his robe.


    In her rush, her nails identally scratched across his chest, leaving a mark that perfectly matched the scratches he already had.


    Ste’s breath caught.


    Feeling the sting, Abraham looked down at his chest. “Ste.”


    She froze.


    Abraham’s deep voice asked, “This scratch.


    you


    aid it?”


    “I didn’t!” Ste blurted out.


    Now <i>I’m </i><i>really </i><i>doomed</i><i>. </i>


    She honestly hadn’t scratched him before heaven knows she hadn’t.


    But now… how could she exin this?


    Abraham’s gaze grew even darker, his eyes glinting with a dangerous heat.


    Ste’s breathing grew frantic. “Abraham, is it really unforgivable if someone


    <i>Especially </i><i>if </i>that <i>man </i><i>is </i><i>you</i>…


    She couldn’t hold it in any longer.


    <i>Forget </i><i>it</i>. <i>Better </i><i>to </i><i>just </i><i>say </i><i>it </i><i>outright </i>than die <i>a </i>slow <i>death</i>!


    But just as she was about to speak, Abel’s call came through again.


    Abraham lowered his gaze, looking at Ste’s hand still gripping his robe. She immediately let go.


    “You- you should answer that,” she stammered.


    <i>Please</i><i>, </i><i>just </i><i>go </i><i>already</i><i>. </i><i>Stop </i>torturing <i>me</i><i>! </i>


    Seeing her trying to bury herself under the nket again, Abraham reached out and caught her.


    The bruises on her neck vivid and clear- burned into his mind like blooming roses.


    He let out a soft chuckle and dropped a gentle kiss on her forehead. “Be good. Get some sleep.”


    Then he finally left.


    Ste’s heart pounded wildly.


    –


    Her mind was racing so fast it felt like it might explode and suddenly, an overwhelming sense of grievance welled up inside her.


    When grievance reached its peak, it turned into reckless courage.


    In that moment, Ste’s fearpletely evaporated.


    Just as Abraham’s hand touched the door handle, Ste blurted out:


    “Abraham,st <b>night</b>… you slept with me.”


    She couldn’t see his expression – but right now, she had already thrown. caution to the wind.


    <b>She </b>had hidden her feelings for so many years.


    In Fleule, she’d been terrified anyone would notice how she felt about Abraham.


    –


    Every time Abraham’s friends teased him –“Your little sister is so cute,” “She’s so considerate,” “She came to pick you up“– those casual words stabbed into her heart.


    They constantly reminded her:


    <i>You </i>are his sister.


    Even though there was no blood rtion, everyone treated her as Abraham’s.


    sister.


    That deep–rooted belief- could she really overturn it?


    And then there were the families.


    With Abraham’s position and future, he would inevitably end up with someone of equal status.


    In both background and identity.


    All of it had always reminded Ste:


    <i>Her </i><i>love </i>was as <i>tiny </i><i>and </i><i>fragile </i>as a flickering <i>candle </i>me<i>. </i>


    Faced with her feelings, she had been terrified to show them.


    Out of fear, she had kept a distance between them.