of her skin at the su

t, swallowing hard as curios

e. After all, no one knew

wondered inwardly, her

. It's your br

oor instantly made Rose release a heavy sigh

beginning?" she muttered as she

pulled her into a tight embrace, wrapping both arms firmly

moment before slowly

she asked softly, her voice slig

Bryce repl

the room. He quietly shut the door behind him then turne

"Come back home with me, okay? Your big brother is back now. I won't let

ly shook

, swallowing hard to suppress the emotions threatening to surface.

ry sigh and rubbed

now, and I can't even begin to imagine how much you've been hurting. But you kn

nother st

't force you. But at least let me rent an apartment for you. I'll make sure you have enough money to live comfortably unt

on softened

y misses

r laugh that held no

of anger creeping into her voice. "Everyone wanted me gone, and

arms tightly ac

te... a fake daughter who overstayed her welcome. Now that the real hei

espite her efforts

everyone wanted. I've al

lenched painful

th hands on her shoulders, forcing

single person in that house stopped caring about you..." He pa

iss

ircase the moment you hear my car pull into

d with sadness app

self into my arms before I even hav

es gre

ose sparkling eyes of yours, 'Brother, wh

gh the sound carried mor

always insisted it was made with love, and somehow it always

w, shaky breath

ver so slightly, "it hurts knowing that my little siste

ok thrilled to see me," Bryce said with a faint, bitte

oftly befor

ppened, Rose. I know you've been hurt more than any

immediately, shaking her head as she low

fore taking a

ted, Brother. I'm tired of all the endless drama and misunderstandings. I just wa

for a long moment be

of my houses instead. You can live there for as long as you want. Nobody will disturb you. Nob

shook her he

to either,"

her eyes did not es

clenched

heeks, Bryce stepped forward once again and

head against his chest as one hand gentl

stantly made Rose's trem

Bryce continued softly. "I'll support whatever de

er eyes for a

ther," she murm

the

Knock

uh

om Bryce's embrace before

s tha

rowned

expecting

hook h

the academy staff members

, she walked toward the

aw the person st

aves of shock and utter di