Chapter 13
The elders conversed downstairs while Jade pulled me upstairs to help her choose outfits.
“I’m going out with Raine tomorrow. Which do you think looks better?”
Her face showed girlish shyness–things were clearly progressing with Raine.
Though I no longer felt heartbroken, something still nagged at me. If they were truly in love and destined to be together, why had Raine wasted two years of my life?
After deliberation, I asked the question: “Do you have feelings for him?”
Her expression flickered momentarily before she smiled: “He’s good to me. We’re compatible.”
This didn’t sound like the Jade I knew.
Since childhood, everything she wore or used had to be precisely what she wanted–she never settled.
Though we weren’t exceptionally close friends, I still hoped she’d approach relationships thoughtfully.
“If you care for each other, why didn’t you get together before?”
She fell silent, her gaze drifting to a photo on her bedside table.
The image showed Jade bundled in a man’s embrace amid Manchester’s snow. The man looked vaguely familiar, but I couldn’t place him.
Her eyes gradually reddened, her grip tightening on her clothes.
I realized our relationship wasn’t close enough for such personal questions.
Seeing her distress, I made an excuse and left her room.
In the hallway, the study door suddenly opened, and a hand pulled me inside. Just as I was about to cry out, Julian pressed me against the door, his face inches from mine. I could see his slightly trembling eyelashes.
“Uncle Julian… what are you doing?”
His breathing was heavy, warm against my face.
“Lyra, I’m only eight years older than you. You don’t have to make me sound ancient.”
Wait, Maddox and Raine were just three years younger and still called him “Uncle.” Why did my using the title suddenly make him sound ancient?
I stared at him, confused.
His gaze was intense, making me instinctively turn away.
10:30
Secretly Dating My Brother’s BFF… Until His Hotter Rival Stole the Spotlight
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Chapter 13
After a moment, he softly apologized and released his hold on me, stepping back.
I fled the room as if escaping danger.
Julian was behaving strangely. His proximity had made my face burn and my breathing quicken,
“Jade? Are you there?” Raine’s voice came from the stairwell.
He was carrying a teacup, just reaching the top of the stairs when our eyes met. Noticing my flustered state, he quickly approached, placing his hand on my forehead.
“Are you running a fever? Your face is so red. I told you to dress warmly in winter. I even messaged you about staying warm, but you blocked me.”
His concerned tone momentarily disoriented me–he sounded just like the old Raine.
I came to my senses and brushed his hand away: “I’m fine.”
“You don’t look fine. Look at your color. Whatever happens, I still care about your well–being. Without me, you’re not even taking care of yourself…”
Growing irritated by his patronizing, I pushed him away, snapping: “I said I’m fine!”
Raine clearly hadn’t expected me to push him. His hand jerked, spilling hot tea all over the floor.
Some splashed onto my feet.
The pain made me gasp and crouch down immediately.
Raine panicked and moved to lift me, but Jade emerged from her room, drawn by the commotion.
His hands froze mid–air.
“Lyra! Are you okay?” Jade rushed over, pushing Raine: “What are you waiting for? Help her!”
With Jade’s approval, Raine snapped back to attention and bent to pick me up.
Just then, a pair of hands intercepted him.
I recognized Julian’s hands now–long–fingered and elegant. They’d pushed chips toward me and rested on my shoulder.
Now they scooped me up as Julian strode toward the nearest room.
Chapter 14
Chapter 14
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.