in Andrea's chest.

family," she said softly. "I'll

ay something more when a kno

re you rea

ess smile curved her lips as she answered

oor o

figure ste

watery eyes, a delicate nose, pale pink lips, and a small, refined face. Dressed in a white wool dres

loom-pure, quiet, and

fooled by tha

e excep

rightened, but h

. we mee

" Sandra asked, concern written

y carefully rehearsed. For a brief, violent second, she want

t

ldn't r

ad suffered-she would ret

he storm inside her back down and smiled. "I'm m

ally scared me. Falling into the lake in the middle of winter-do you know how dangerous that was? Than

Caring. Exactly like a dev

ived one lifetime, she mig

smile remained soft. "Alright, alright. I know I was careless

thinly veiled irritation. Remembering his sister's earlier warnin

ell people I'm your brother. I

wice, pretendin

lessly changing the subject-though in her heart, she wish

mbering something. "Andrea, Senior Steven

ng genuinely confused

gently. "Andrea, Steven is quite well-known at our schoo

fesa

carefully

mbered that

suddenly felt a heavy shove against her shoulder.

ed. Screame

e ans

ad been unbearable. She had truly believed she

e, she had dismisse

, she was

d been

ly setting up a hero-saves-the-girl scen

nking hard. After a moment, realiz

iliar," she said softly. "He's the

pearing on her face. "Sandra... are you sa

ile stiffened for t

d about you. That's why he came to check on you p

erself. She shook Sandra's arm playfully. "Why don't you go

aid with a soft lau

rned a

id the thick jealous

.

site ends of the sofa, chatting softly. From time to

tidal wave of hatred threatening to break

ootsteps, Ste

le amazement flashed th

ally over her shoulders, catching the light with a soft sheen. She wore a red dress-bold, vivid

nt carried a

settling contrast-like an angel wrapped in a devil's ski

died Steve

ely captivated in her previous life. Even now, looking at h

tiful

f-assured beyond his years. His smile was warm, almost

iti

ee

ile curved

ike taking from

how I destroy ev

erfect manners, his smile flaw

w are you f

across her pale cheeks. "Thank you for your concern. Senior

. "Just a small effort. As long as

ally glance

ndrea's own grew deeper. She blinked playfull

s an enormous favor. Senior, if you don't mind, I'

eclined

d indignation. "If you refuse, it'll

with a soft chuckle, "I suppose

rm, his tone gentler

at

cup. Tea spilled across her dress. Her f

continue talking

ry away, mockery flick

lready liked St

even foolishly asked Sandra fo

beyond

upstairs, she ne

cal face any longer. They agreed on a dinner time, exch

eiling window, watching his tall f

like this too-only back then, her heart had be

o

othing left