Morals aside, they had too much pride for that. Besides, Juniper was so brilliant, she could get into any school she wanted with her own abilities.


    "I''ll leave her in your care," Harold said, giving Shanley a slight nod. His attitude toward him had noticeably softened. “Thank you for your hard work."


    "It''s no trouble at all," Shanley replied with a smile, acting as if he were already part of the family.


    The three brothers looked at him for a few seconds but ultimately said nothing more. You had to admire his thick skin.


    ...


    Juniper drifted in and out of consciousness, unsure how long she had slept. When she finally opened her eyes, she was staring at a in white ceiling, and the faint smell of disinfectant hung in the air. Where was she?


    "You''re awake?"


    Seeing her eyes open, Shanley immediately stood up. "Are you feeling ufortable anywhere?" he asked with concern.


    Juniper turned her head, her gaze shifting from the IV in her hand to Shanley''s face. He looked exhausted, with dark circles under his eyes, clear evidence of a sleepless night.


    "How did I get here?" Juniper''s lips were pale, her voice hoarse.


    Wasn''t she having fondue with Qadir and the others? Then they left early, and she waited for Shanley. After that... she couldn''t remember what happened.


    "The hospital." Shanley gently ced a pillow behind her neck, his voice soft. "You ate something bad yesterday. Don''t you remember?"


    Juniper was still groggy and let Shanley fuss over her without protest. A few secondster, it dawned on her. "Mushroom poisoning?" she asked, her voice still raspy.


    "Mhm." Shanley''s lips curved into a smile as he gently brushed a stray strand of hair from her forehead. "How much do you remember about the hallucinations you had?”


    Juniper''s eyes widened, a guilty look shing across her face. "Hallucinations?"


    "You don''t remember?"


    "Not a thing." Juniper shook her head.


    From Shanley''s expression, she knew she must have done somethingpletely ridiculous. Even if she remembered, she wouldn''t admit it.


    "Alright," Shanley didn''t tease her further. "Luckily, you didn''t eat much. A couple of days on an IV should do it."


    "Oh." Juniper leaned against the headboard, her brow furrowing as she looked at him. "Shouldn''t you get some sleep?"


    He looked like he''d been up all night.


    "I''m not tired," Shanley said, arranging her breakfast. He seemed to be in good spirits.


    While sipping her soup, Juniper suddenly thought of her friends. "By the way-"


    "Don''t worry, they''re fine," Shanley said, a smile ying on his lips. "The hourss was broken."


    "No wonder..." Juniper sighed. "I thought time was passing unusually fast."


    She swore to never be so greedy again.


    After breakfast, Shanley went into the bathroom to freshen up. He


    hadn''t had a chance to take c


    of


    himself while watching over her all night. .


    Listening to the sound of running water, Juniper picked up her phone, suddenly very curious about what shed


    done during her hallucinations A momentter, she hae skillfully pulled up the surveince footage from the restaurant and the car. Cóntent


    She froze, staring in disbelief at the girl on the screen acting cutesy and ridiculous. A milkshake? And she''d


    opened her mouth and asked


    Shanley if he wanted a drink? Sh


    even climbed into hisp and


    She''d


    snuggled against him... It was too


    mortifying to watch.


    Juniper''s face burned. She quickly turned off the footage and closed her eyes, trying


    to calm herself.


    "Nope. That wasn''t me. As long as I deny it, the person acting crazy in the video couldn''t possibly be me."