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."

the core, challenged, "So,

Leanne was speechless.

even weirder. No surprise Curtis' uncle nearly had

troublemaker was

aura enveloping him. His cold gaze pinned Larson, "Call her by name. Or I'll make sure you can't speak again." Larson, feigning nonchalance, knew if

He complied, "Hi, Leanne."

lost his mother at a young age, 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

his face and wished for one too. "Uncle,

Leanne was again speechless.

not

her away from the rebellious cousin, patiently explaining, "That's not drawing, sweetheart.

to the senses: roast pork, spicy crab, soup, shrimp with vegetables, and Leanne's recent

felt like hitting jackpot for Larson, who hadn't had a

in Emberland

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

Comments ()

0/255