e's

rustration and follow

ft white sand, and in the distance, there were vast palm trees and coconut groves. The s

e we would be having dinner. Layla pointed to the hotel not

, grateful that Layla had welcomed me into

on the sand. The white sand still held the warmth of the day, and it wasn't as

barefoot with me. Both of us held our

were already seated. Mom spotted Layla

urant, which was more comfortable a

e. But as we reached the table, my smile froze like it had turned to ice. Ther

ut what had happened e

d. I couldn't quite decipher the expression on his face. It seemed as though he was judging me as

"Layla, my dear, how about you sitting next to your big brother

ith a smile. "

relief and whispere

seats. The waiter b

It pairs wonderfully with seafood," Mom said, si

ter presented the wine. It l

ge ladies," Liam suddenly sp

n Layla sighed dramatically. She and I ex

contented smile on her face. I also responded with a sweet s

ng my seafood rather than pouncing on it like a starving animal, even though I was really hungry, and I rarely got t

plans. "Faye, I heard from Annie that

of shrimp and wiped my mouth with a

in, "That's

couldn't bring myself to tell mom that I had torn up my college offer letter. I have no university

e?" Louis continued, "Or would you like to stay her

gainst the plate, creating a loud noise. Everyone at the table stared at me

it seems you don't know yet.

rsity I could potentially attend? What should I do? Should I accept Louis's offer? God, I didn't

meanor might not be out of place in that role. But I had no other option. I didn't have any other universities to go to. And

with countless thoughts, but in the end, the

uld be willing to atte

!" Layla cheered,

ief. "Liam, please take good car

head, "But... Faye seems quite capab

needs it, even if Faye has been used to

p breath to steady my wildly fluctuating emotions, and re

st time I had called him "brother," even though it felt somewhat i

eyebrow. "You'r

le and almost faint in delight. Well, as long as m

ds, bowing to Leander. "Mr. Sheffield, there's a

ady? Was it Lean

ootball player wouldn't be la

to Leander. But he seemed flustered, even to the

at, and his sharp eyes scrutinized hi

the exit but turned back when he heard Louis

Louis's tone

nging his head. "Taylor, my girlf

up?!" Layla

Mom joined i

terest in the king crab that had just been served. I didn't

ayla and whispered

it could be the 14th, whatever! She was the least annoying of all his exes, but I still didn't like her much. She's so dramatic, always coming to our house, dren

such a common story for ath

they break u

I don't know. How could Taylor let go of

ble, mom and Louis were questioning Le

xhibit at the zoo!" Leander complained, running his hands through his hair in

mom asked,

Yeah, she made me demonstrate my ab

I couldn't h

e too, Faye?" Leander lo

being showcased like a zoo animal by

." Everyo

y, that's enough. I'm going to f

rated. I picked it up and saw