Chapter 8
Since that day, I kept seeing Patrick waiting near the campus entrance.
One day, my dormmate nudged me and said, “Hey, who’s that guy? He’s super good–looking.”
I closed my notebook and replied, “He’s my brother.”
She raised her eyebrows and whispered, “Really? You guys don’t even look related.”
I didn’t answer her.
My mind wandered back to my time in high school.
Whenever Patrick wasn’t tied up with something, he would come get me.
Back then, my friends were also curious about our relationship. Wanting to keep it vague, I didn’t give a clear answer.
Later, when he came to school as my guardian during a parent meeting, they finally realized he was my brother.
After graduation, a girl from my class leaned in and said, “The way your brother looks at you is different. You’re not real siblings, are you?”
I felt a mix of surprise and joy.
At that moment, I thought maybe he didn’t just see me as a sister anymore.
I got all hyped up, ready to tell him how I felt, but in the end, he didn’t show up, and I ended up embarrassed in front of everyone.
Chapter 8
Remembering all of it now felt like small needles poking at my chest. The pain just keeps coming.
I’ve always known that Patrick is the kind of person who doesn’t stop until he gets what he wants.
Lately, Jacob had been annoyed with Patrick’s interference. He was taking it out on me, and my lip still hurt from where he bit it.
So I decided it was time to have a real talk with Patrick.
Jacob and I are dating,” I told him directly.
He didn’t seem surprised and spoke with the usual confidence, “That’s fine. Just break up.
I looked at him, annoyed. “I don’t plan to break up.”
“Why not?” he asked.
“Because I like him and want to be with him. This has nothing to do with you.”
For once, Patrick’s usually unreadable expression started to fall apart. He clenched his jaw and asked, “You’re saying you have feelings for him?”
I looked him straight in the eye and replied firmly, “I do.”
He stared at me, clearly shaken, and after a long pause, his voice came out rough and unsure, “But… didn’t you say you liked me?”
I raised an eyebrow and gave a dry laugh. “It’s normal for a sister to like her older brother.”
The words I once used to chase him now circled back to hit him where it hurt.
Chapter 8
While he was still frozen in place, his phone screen lit up.
The caller ID showed Eva’s name, terrible timing.
I flashed a bright smile. “You shouldn’t keep Eva waiting. I’m heading back to the dorm now.”
I turned around and left. Patrick opened his mouth as if wanting to say something, but in the end, he stayed silent.
As my figure grew distant, he felt something collapse quietly inside him.
It felt like a piece of his world was slipping away right then.
Patrick’s hands moved forward like he was trying to grab something in the air, but then they slowly dropped to his sides.
He realized that in the end, he had only been pushing me further away.
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