In the middle of the night, Serena drove Vanessa home. As she gently helped Vanessa out of the car, her hand brushed against Vanessa''s wrist-and her fingers stilled. There, beneath her touch, she felt two ridged lines. Instinctively, Serena turned Vanessa''s arm over for a closer look.


    Four or five thin scars marked the inside of Vanessa''s left wrist, the kind you never want to see.


    Vanessa immediately pulled her arm back, covering the scars with her palm. "Thank you for tonight, Serena," she said quietly.


    "Vanessa, what-" Serena''s voice faltered, her eyes wide. Those marks-had Vanessa really tried to hurt herself?


    Vanessa let out a soft sigh. "I was so young and stupid back then. The pressure of auditions, the stress, it all got to me. I made some foolish choices," she admitted.


    Serena''s heart clenched. But she''d noticed one of the scars looked fresh- nothing like something faded from years ago.


    "Vanessa, I know things get hard, but you can''t do that to yourself,” Serena insisted, her voice trembling.


    Vanessa lowered her head, her words floating out like a leaf on water. "I know. Back then, it felt like the world was ending. Now it all seems so childish."


    Serena couldn''t help but think: that newest scar-was it because her brother had agreed to marry Eleanor? Vanessa must love him so deeply, she''d risk everything just to be with him.


    Would she herself seed with Xavier if she had that kind of determination?


    "Vanessa, there''s nothing in life you can''t get through. Promise me you won''t ever hurt yourself again. I''d be heartbroken," Serena said softly.


    She couldn''t stand the thought of someone as gentle and resilient as Vanessa being bullied by someone like Eleanor.


    After a short while at Vanessa''s ce, Vanessa urged her to head home. Serena drove back to Cloudcrest Manor, the estate her brother had given her. As she unlocked the front door, she spotted a dimmp glowing in the living room.


    She jumped, startled-then saw the outline of someone sleeping on the couch.


    “Brother?” she blurted out, stunned. What was he doing here, sleeping on the sofa?


    She tiptoed over, still smarting from his earlier coldness on the phone, and stood in front of him, arms crossed. But the moment she saw his sleeping face, the anger faded.


    He was frowning, even in sleep, shadows of exhaustion marring his features. He looked nothing like the proud,manding brother she knew—more like a lion with its mane dampened by rain.


    Serena''s heart ached to see him like this. But then another thought crept in, and her irritation returned.


    Was he like this because of Eleanor?


    No, she quickly dismissed the idea. He was probably just overworked. Ever since he''d taken over thepany, he''d handled every crisis with ease, and Goodwin & Co. was thriving. What could possibly be troubling him?


    As if sensing someone nearby,n''s eyes snapped open. The sharp edge in his gaze faded when he saw his sister. He rubbed his brow and pushed himself up. "You''re back."


    "Why are you sleeping here, brother? Didn''t you say this house was mine now?" Serena protested.


    She was even more annoyed, knowing Eleanor was asleep upstairs.


    Serena could see he was truly worn out. She had a thousand questions she wanted to ask, including whether he was the reason for the fresh cuts on Vanessa''s wrist. But Vanessa had specifically told her not to mention it to him. Remembering something, Serena dug into her purse and handed him a small jewelry box. "Here. The ne you wanted to give Eleanor-Vanessa doesn''t want it anymore."


    Serena huffed. "At least tell me—why did you buy an apartment right below Eleanor''s? Was it for Evelyn, or was it for-”


    He stood to leave, but Serena grabbed his arm. "Brother, do you still love Eleanor?"


    He froze, his back rigid as a bowstring.


    "Answer me!" Serena pressed. "Did you two get divorced because she left you, or because you left her?"


    A storm of emotion flickered inn''s eyes. He gently pulled free. "There are things you wouldn''t understand."


    Then, in a low voice, he added, "Tomorrow I''ll find you a new ce. Move out of here."


    Serena was taken aback, then scowled. "Why? I like this neighborhood. I''m not moving."


    "You still haven''t gotten over Xavier?"n shot her a cold look.


    Her eyes stung with tears. "Do you really think so little of your own sister? Do you think I''m not good enough for him?”


    "And why not?" Serena demanded, chin tilted defiantly. "What kind of brother looks down on his own sister like this?"


    "He''s in love with Eleanor,"n said quietly. "Don''t you see it?"


    Serena snorted. "I don''t care. I like him, and even if he likes someone else, I''m not giving up."