He casually held his blazer in one hand and commanded with succinct authority, "Greet."

It was early autumn. Leanne was dressed in a beige cardigan, a white silk skirt, her hair pinned up with a clip, leaving strands to softly frame her face like a gentle breeze from the tail end of summer. Larson remembered a visit to the Richardsons' once, during Maddox's birthday bash. Their place was bustling, teeming with guests and kids alike.

A group was playing badminton in the yard when a boy accidentally hit Leanne with the shuttlecock. His apology was arrogant. Leanne, quiet and uncomplaining, simply waited for him to leave before she crushed the shuttlecock underfoot.

Watching from upstairs, Larson found her quite fascinating.

Opening his mouth, Larson greeted her with an exaggeratedly sweet tone, "Hey, sis."

Leanne didn't mind, but Curtis sure did.

His gaze slid over Larson dismissively. "What, did living away from home too long make you forget your manners?"

"I've always called her 'sis.' Why stop now?"

Curtis smirked, "Back then, I could've smacked you for it. Guess what? I still can."

to the core, challenged, "So, should I call

Leanne was speechless.

even weirder. No surprise Curtis' uncle nearly

this troublemaker was

His cold gaze pinned Larson, "Call her by name. Or I'll make sure you can't speak again." Larson, feigning nonchalance, knew if his dad or Curtis said it, they meant

He complied, "Hi, Leanne."

Larson's life wasn't much better than an orphan's, earning Leanne's sympathetic understanding. She didn't fuss, gently correcting Betty, "This is Daddy's cousin, Betty Call him

wished for one

Leanne was again speechless.

not something

daughter's excitement, lifted her away from the rebellious cousin, patiently explaining, "That's

the senses: roast pork, spicy

cooked food felt like hitting jackpot for Larson,

apartment in Emberland

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