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As we stepped out into the hallway in silence, my indifferent gaze caught the foolish Vonkton family tree on the wall. Mina had a presentation today. It was about someone’s family tree, too. She was probably nervous and reluctant, but I knew she wouldn’t mess it up. When it came to pleasing people, she always went all out. She’d wear one of her masks and entertain everyone, like always. After all, she always wished everyone in the world to smile.

I exhaled. I needed to visit her school sometime.

“You seem distracted. Having an addiction crisis? Want me to bring her for you?”

I glared at him, and the man chuckled. “You get angry too fast, son. You need to fix that.”

“Fix your habit of meddling in my business first.”

“It’s kind of my business, too.”

“No, it’s not.”

“One day I might be her father-in-law.”

At his annoying smirk, my face winced.

“You won’t be anything to her. Give me the damn stuff so I can go.”

Sebastian threw up his hands in surrender and tossed a bag at me. “But calling her business? I thought she was more than that. Well, it must be hard to get past the cold kid’s walls.”

He sounded satisfied and proud, so I gave him an indifferent look before moving into the hallway.

The fool didn’t know those walls belonged to her.

I spotted Penelope at the other end of the corridor, and I smoothed out my furrowed brows.

“Brother? I didn’t know you were coming here.”

Penelope had been living with me for nearly six years. She was the closest of my siblings. When my family died, Sebastian had agreed to take them in, in a way preparing to take control of me. As if I would allow that. No one could lay a finger on my siblings.

“I needed to get some supplies. Sorry I couldn’t let you know.”

“Bugan again?”

I nodded. Bugan was also one of my siblings, but despite valuing him, I couldn’t stop him from using drugs. Well, I couldn’t interfere with people’s free will. The only one I wanted to destroy was Mina’s.

“That idiot! How much longer will he hide in the Crescent?”

“The place is safe; there’s no need for him to come.”

“But he could die at any moment. I heard that Crescent’s dome is very old, and even the insulation is broken. He’s fine, right, brother?”

I sighed. “If I say there’s nothing to worry about, then there’s nothing to worry about, Nelly. I’m serious. Don’t think about that lad. How’s school going?’

Penelope clasped her hands, then muttered shyly, “Fine.”

I nodded and glanced at my wrist. Mina should be home by now.

“Brother! Aren’t you going to ask? I couldn’t be more obvious.”

“What’s it?”

“I confessed to my crush!”

“Really? That’s great, Nelly.”

“Anything else?”