Chapter 247 Secrets Laid Bare


    Outside, it was freezing cold. The road out of Seats Cove ran alongside the sea for a stretch, and it wasn’t easy to walk.


    “At least Ste… Eddie started to say-


    Thud. Another sharp pain in his leg.


    Eddie really couldn’t take it anymore.


    How could someone so violent have the patience to raise a girl so delicately?


    If someone told him now that Ste had been raised by Abraham, Eddie wouldn’t believe it for a second.


    Their eyes met. Abraham’s gaze was sharp and cutting, making Eddie flinch. Fine, fine, fine. I’ll go eat in the kitchen. Happy


    now?”


    He could feel just how <b>tense </b>Ste’s body was next to him.


    Seriously, Abraham. What’s the big deal? Is she supposed to hide from people forever out of embarrassment?


    He had never seen anyone treasure someone the way Abraham treasured Ste.


    Hearing Eddie say he would go to the kitchen, Ste buried her head even lower.


    This time, before Abraham could kick him again, Eddie hurried off on his own.


    Only Ste and Abraham were left.


    Abraham ncedzily at Ste. “Any lower and your face’s gonna get stuck in your bowl.”


    Ste said nothing.


    She lifted her head and shot Abraham a resentful look.


    The man’s lips curved in a slight smile, with none of the earlier ferocity he had shown Eddie.


    “Come here, Abraham said.


    Ste obediently <b>moved </b>over <b>and </b>sat down beside him. <b>Abraham </b>reached out and began to unwind the scarf around her


    neck.


    She immediately covered it with her hands. “What are you doing, big, bro?”


    She couldn’t let him take it off. If he did, and everyone <b>saw</b>, and if they all started asking questions like Eddie did, what was she supposed to <b>say</b>?


    <b>“</b><b>You </b>really think covering it up means no one knows? Abraham said casually.


    Ste didn’t answer.


    So… everyone already knows?


    <b>She </b>looked <b>at </b><b>Abraham </b>with pitiful eyes.


    If <b>everyone </b>knew, it wouldn’t take long for the news to reach Fleule.


    Once her <b>mother </b>and Marie found out… the more she thought about it, the more panicked her mind became.


    She tugged at Abraham’s sleeve. At that moment, Abraham was cing a <b>small </b>fried bun into her bowl.


    It wasn’t so much about other people it was how to exin things to her mother.


    —


    Abraham took a sip of his <b>milk </b>and said, “Didn’t I already tell you what to say?”


    “Just say I forced you.”


    Ste looked up at him.


    Abraham was also looking at her, his dark eyes deep and unreadable, like the vastness of the universe.


    Ste swallowed nervously. I’m really supposed to say that? Isn’t that too much? It’ll ruin your reputation.”


    As she spoke, she lowered her head again, full of worry.


    All these years, she had hidden her own feelings carefully.


    She had never dared show them, partly because she <b>was </b>afraid of tarnishing the reputations of both the Luke family and the Dawson family.


    wson


    She and Abraham weren’t rted by blood.


    But officially, they <b>had </b>always been considered brother and sister. That’s how everyone outside saw them.


    Especially whenever her mother took her out to meet otherdies or attend gatherings- she always introduced Ste as her little daughter.


    Little daughter. Eldest son.


    Every time she thought about that rtionship, it made her chest tighten unbearably.


    Abraham gently lifted her chin with his warm fingertips and brushed a kiss against her lips.


    “You think anyone would dare?”


    <b>Just </b>a few simple words, but they carried Abraham’s unique dominance and force.


    Ste’s heart gave a violent thud. Her eyes instantly reddened.


    <b>Abraham </b>brushed another light kiss against her eyelids. “Ste, do you really not trust me?”


    I de… It’s not that… she said quietly.


    “No one in Fleule has the right to interfere with the Luke family’s affairs, Abraham said.


    Ste’s heart thudded again.


    He’s right. No one in Fleule has any right to say a word about the Luke family.


    And if Abraham <b>dared </b>to do these things to her, it <b>meant </b>no one would dare criticize him either.


    Ste sniffled and looked up into his eyes<b>. </b>


    If <b>Marie </b>asks about it… I’ll just say that, okay?”


    Abraham pinched her earlobe lightly and chuckled. “Good girl”


    Ste hesitated, then asked, “When did it start?”


    “When did you start having those kinds of feelings for me?”


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    It had been hard enough hiding her feelings all these years.


    Send Gifts


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