Stephanie used to tease me about it, saying, “You’re so good to her. Why don’t I ever see you treating your actual sister this well? Don’t tell me you’re into her?”
There were so many times I wanted to reveal my relationship with Serena, but she’d always link arms with me playfully, cutting me off with a cheeky grin.
“Maybe Albion thinks I’m more like a real sister to him than you. Little brothers should dote on their big sisters anyway—any objections?”
Over time, I realized what she really wanted: to keep our relationship hidden. So I stopped trying to tell anyone.
For seven years, no one in our lives knew we were together.
Now, Stephanie was lingering by the door, watching for the right moment to step in. Turning back to me, still eating fruit, she teased, “Albion, your Serena is fighting someone out there. Aren’t you going to help her?”
I swallowed the last piece of orange and shook my head. “It’s a fight between women. Why would I, a man, get involved?”
She raised an eyebrow but didn’t argue, then stepped out to help.
Meanwhile, I stayed in the private room a long time, long enough for the noise outside to die down. Only then did I stand and walk out.
The first thing I saw was Serena holding tightly onto a man’s arm.
It was her first love, the one she could never let go of—Cyril Smith.
He was drunk, leaning limply against her as if his body had no bones.
Not only did she not push him away, but she held him even closer, her arms wrapped protectively around him.
Her dark, bright eyes were filled with anger—and something else she hadn’t realized herself: heartbreak.
Albion's POV
Stephanie leaned closer with a sly grin. “Albion, do you think there’s a chance those two will get back together?”
Her voice was just loud enough for Serena to hear.
As expected, Serena’s head shot up. When she noticed me standing not far away, a flicker of guilt flashed in her eyes. She quickly explained, “I’m not thinking about getting back together with him. He’s just drunk, so I’m helping him out.”
I gave her a calm smile and shook my head. “I understand, Serena. Cyril seems pretty out of it—why don’t you take him home?”
Her brows furrowed slightly at how I addressed her, but she didn’t argue. Instead, she nodded and helped Cyril out of the room. Before leaving, she turned back to remind Stephanie, “You two should head home soon. Don’t wander around too much.”