A fruit forced from the vine never tastes sweet-but sometimes, you just need something to quench your thirst.
He was truly angry now; anyone could see it. The stubborn look on his sister''s face only made it worse.
Serena shrank back, startled by her brother''s icy demeanor.
His tone was cold and cutting. "The only reason Xavier treats you with an ounce of courtesy is because you''re my sister. Otherwise, do you really think he''d even look at you twice?"
The color drained from Serena''s face.
"You think he doesn''t know how you feel? He''s just trying not to cause a rift between our families."
Each ofn''s wordsnded like a hammer blow, his voice chilled to the bone. Serena bit her lip, tears welling up in her eyes as the pain twisted inside her.
"Then what about Eleanor?" she shot back, desperate, her voice trembling. "If you know Xavier so well, why is he so taken with her?"
No one outside had ever dared speak to Serena this way; no one had ever cut her down so ruthlessly. But now, every word from her brother sliced straight through her pride and left her feeling worthless.
She pressed her hands over her face, voice breaking. "How could you say that to me,n?"
He gave her a sidelong look. Better to let her see herself clearly now than let her make a fool of herself in front of Xavier.
Suddenly, Serena looked up, her eyes rimmed red. "Wait-you keep saying how amazing Eleanor is. Don''t tell me you "
Could her brother have fallen for Eleanor too? Was that the real reason Vanessa was so devastated she''d hurt herself?
The warmmplight in the living room cast sharp shadows across his face, hisshes hiding whatever emotion flickered in his eyes.
Serena wouldn''t let it go. "Say something,n!" she demanded, her hands clenched so tightly her knuckles turned white. She didn''t really want to hear his answer, but she couldn''t stop herself from asking.
"It''s none of your business,"n replied, cold and indifferent, giving nothing away.
For a moment, Serena just stared at him in shock. He hadn''t confirmed it—but he hadn''t denied it, either.
Could it really be true?
"Move out tomorrow,"n said abruptly, his tone brooking no argument.
He strode back to his study, leaving Serena standing alone as hot tears spilled down her cheeks. Every word he''d spoken had cut her, over and over, like a dull de carving into her heart.
Why did it feel like everyone revolved around Eleanor?
Later, the m of a door echoed through the hall. Ian frowned, but said nothing. He turned back to hisputer, opening a folder.
The quiet of the study was broken by a girl''s sweet, honeyed voice: "Ian, which story do you want to hear tonight?"
Her voice was soft and lilting, a gentle stream of sound that washed over him. The date on the video: ten years ago.
On screen, the girl''s smile was bright and mischievous as she reached out to gently brush theshes of a man lying unconscious. Sheughed softly.
"I had anatomy today-want to hear about it? No, you''d hate that. Never mind, I''ll just read for a bit." The video showed Eleanor hoisting a heavy bag, only to spill its contents: a pile of thick textbooks.
So she''d always loved reading.
To be honest,n had never watched the whole set of bedside videos. That dark stretch of his life was something he preferred not to remember-no one enjoys seeing themselves so weak.
He clicked on another recording, one he hadn''t seen before. In it, Eleanor sat hunched at his bedside, her eyes shining like starlight.
n, please wake up soon! I think I... I might be falling for you."
The video continued, Eleanor''s voice yful and teasing: "Not that you can hear me. And when you wake up, I''ll never admit it!"
He shut theptop and strode out to the living room, grabbing a bottle of whiskey from the cab. He poured himself a ss and tossed it back, the burn doing nothing to quiet the turmoil inside him.
Tugging at his cor, he finally made his way to the master bathroom. Half an hourter, he emerged, a towel slung around his waist, chest heaving, his eyes dull with exhaustion and a hint of something deeper spent.