"I really don''t know. I can barely remember how we even started liking each other. By the time I realized it, we already had feelings," N exined.


    Seeing how serious N looked, Vrie let out a sigh. "Fine. I guess I''ll have to figure it out on my own."


    The two continued chatting for a while. Just as Vrie was about to leave, Damon walked in.


    She stood up to greet him but frowned slightly when she saw Brandon following behind him. Without a word, shepletely ignored him.


    Brandon''s face darkened for a moment, and he was about to say something when Vrie turned to N and said, "N, I''m heading out."


    "Okay, I''ll walk you out," N offered.


    "No need. I''ve been here so many times I know the way," Vrie dismissed.


    Watching Vrie disappear out the door, Brandon hesitated for a moment before turning to Damon. "Uncle Damon, I need to talk to Vrie. Give me ten minutes."


    Without waiting for a response, he rushed out after her.


    When he reached the entrance, he saw Vrie about to get into her car and quickly stepped forward to block her. "We need to talk."


    Vrie''s expression was nk. "Mr. Sumner, we''ve broken up. There''s nothing left to talk about. Now, please move."


    Brandon looked helpless. "Vrie, I''ve already cut ties with Michelle. You won''t see me with her ever again. Just give me one more chance, okay?"


    Vrie almostughed. "Brandon, do you really think I''d believe you?"


    He had promised her the same thing countless times-swearing he wouldn''t see Michelle again. And yet?


    Time and time again, she had only been met with disappointment.


    Now, she was done putting herself through the pain. She didn''t want to hear another lie.


    "This time, I swear it''s really thest time," Brandon promised.


    Vrie took a deep breath, locking eyes with him. "Alright. If you''re so sure, let''s


    make a bet. If you can go one month without seeing Michelle, I''ll take you back. But


    if you can''t, then you need to leave me alone for good."


    "Deal!" Brandon agreed instantly.


    To him, it was an easy condition to meet.


    "Can you move now?" Vrie asked.


    Brandon didn''t budge. He stared at her intently. "Vrie, if I do this, you''ll really take me back, right?"


    "I will. But you should focus on proving yourself first," Vrie replied.


    Brandon nodded firmly. "You''ll see I won''t let you down."


    Vrie simply smiled and said nothing more.


    Ten minutester, Brandon returned to the house.


    As soon as he stepped into the living room, he noticed both Damon and N staring at him.


    He paused, instinctively reaching


    to touch his face. "Uncle Damon


    Aunt M, why are you both Na


    en


    you both staring


    at me? Do I have something on my face?"


    Damon raised an eyebrow. "No. Let''s go to the study."


    Without another word, he got up and walked toward the study.


    Brandon hurried after him, and the two disappeared behind the door.


    They talked business unte


    found


    evening. When they finally emerged, they N sitting on the couch


    watching TV.


    .


    Damon walked over and said gently, "N, you need to rest more. Don''t watch too much TV."


    N looked up at him. "I''m not tired. Go wash some fruit for me. I''m craving strawberries."


    Damon chuckled. "Alright. I''ll also let Lydia know to make a couple more dishes. Brandon is staying for dinner."


    N nced at Brandon, her expression unreadable. "Oh."


    As Vrie''s friend, her opinion of Brandon had plummeted when she learned about his situation with that other woman. If he werent Damon''s nephew, she wouldn''t have even bothered to be polite.