LOGINWinona realized she couldn't stay in that house any longer. As she headed downstairs, she happened to overhear Nella's words.Gripping her car keys, Winona walked straight out of the house.Just as she stepped outside, Nella’s voice came from behind her."You're being ridiculous! We only asked you to give up one room. Did you really have to make such a big deal out of it? "We've spoiled you too much. You only ever think about yourself!"The words hit hard, leaving a dull ache in her chest and tears burning behind her eyes.She didn't turn around or argue. She got into the car, stepped on the gas, and drove away, leaving the suffocating atmosphere of the house behind.In the rearview mirror, the home that held more than 20 years of memories grew smaller and smaller until it disappeared from sight. For the first time, it no longer felt like home.She had no idea where to go. Her place felt empty, and going back to her parents' house was out of the question. She drove around
Winona watched the scene unfold, growing more irritated by the second.She knew that no matter what she said, her parents would only see her as the unreasonable one.They were so caught up in finally finding their long-lost daughter that all they could think about was making up for everything Chloe had missed. They hadn't stopped to consider Winona's feelings at all."Fine. She can have it."Winona took a deep breath and forced down her anger. "She can stay in my room. I don't care anymore."She was done arguing with her parents, and she was tired of Chloe standing there looking like she had been wronged.If no one cared how Winona felt, there was no point fighting over the room.Nella's expression immediately softened. "That's better. We're family. Sometimes, we have to compromise for each other."Chloe smiled as well. "Thanks, Winnie."Winona ignored her. Without another look at her parents, she turned and headed upstairs.Instead of going to the guest room, she went stra
Winona stopped cold and spun around. "What did you just say? My room?"That was the room she'd had since she was a child. It held years of memories, along with her favorite books, keepsakes, and the stuffed animals she had grown up with.And her mother had given it to a sister they had only just found without even asking her.Under Winona's shocked, angry stare, Chloe lowered her head and pressed her lips together. "I'm sorry. I didn't know it was your room. I've never lived in a house this big or stayed in a room that nice before, so..." Her voice trailed off, making her sound even more helpless."If it bothers you, I'll move my things out right now. I can stay in a guest room."Nella immediately cut in. "Winnie, Chloe just came home. Everything here is new to her. Your room has the best light and plenty of space, so what's wrong with letting her use it?""You're an adult. Does it really matter which room you sleep in?"Winona looked at Nella’s matter-of-fact expression,
Jasper watched until Winona disappeared inside the building before starting the car and driving away.-The next morning, the rain had stopped.Winona woke to the shrill ring of her phone. The caller ID showed her family's home number."Winnie, come home right away. There's something important we need to tell you."Nella's tone left no room for argument. Winona had never heard her sound so serious.Still half asleep, Winona rubbed her eyes in confusion.She went to bed late and still felt groggy. She planned to sleep in, but from Nella's tone, this clearly couldn't wait."Alright. I'll be there soon."After hanging up, Winona quickly washed up and changed into something comfortable.She still had a few things at home anyway, so she figured she would pick them up while she was there.By the time she drove back to the Farrell family estate, it was already after 10 a.m.The Farrells lived in a large villa.The moment Winona stepped into the living room, she saw the entire fam
Warm air filled the car as Winona leaned back in the passenger seat. The damp strands around her forehead were already mostly dry.At Jasper's suggestion, she nodded right away. "Go ahead. I don't want to wake up sick tomorrow and feel too awful to get anything done."They had been friends for years, and Winona was used to Jasper taking care of her. It came so naturally to him that she never felt the need to be polite about it or keep her distance.Jasper nodded, opened the door, and stepped back into the pouring rain.Within seconds, his shirt was soaked again and clung to his back.Winona watched him hurry toward the drugstore on the corner, a small smile on her face. Then exhaustion suddenly caught up with her.She had barely slept the night before after another call from her family, and she had spent the morning dealing with everything at the meeting. Now that she could finally relax, her eyelids grew heavy.She shifted into a more comfortable position, closed her eyes, an
Only Winona and Jasper remained at the lobby entrance, the fresh smell of rain hanging in the air.Winona looked out at the downpour. Neither of them seemed to have an umbrella.She took a breath, turned to Jasper, and called, "Come on. Run!"Before he could react, she gathered up the hem of her dress and dashed into the rain.Within seconds, her hair and clothes were soaked. The cold rain made her shiver, but she only laughed.Jasper had just pulled out an umbrella when he saw her take off. He froze for a second, whatever he was about to say dying in his throat.He watched her race through the downpour, then shook his head, closed the umbrella, and hurried after her.Rain dripped from his hair and soaked through his shirt, but he didn't slow down. He kept his eyes on Winona, worried she would slip on the wet pavement.Winona reached Jasper's car and tugged at the door, only to find it locked.She turned as he hurried over. Rain streamed down her face, and wet strands of hair
Christopher said, "I'm skipping breakfast."Amelia said nothing.In the end, to avoid drawing Dorothy's attention, Christopher got into the car with her.He settled into the passenger seat and spoke as if it were natural. "Take me to the company."At 6'3", he was a giant in Amelia's compact car.
Evelyn's heart skipped a beat.For a moment, she almost wanted to go. Christopher never acted like this.Whenever they came to visit Dorothy, Nathan was always there too. He would cling to Christopher and always be the one in his arms.But now…Evelyn bit her lip, then turned quickly and wrapped
If Amelia came back, Nathan's life would be so much easier."Nathan," Amelia said, looking at him with a deep breath. "If you need anything, go talk to your new mommy."Nathan stared at her, dazed, and didn't say a word.Amelia was already back, yet she still said things like that. Deep down, he
The teacher lowered her eyes to the score sheets. "I am pleased to announce that the first-place winner of the math competition is Evelyn Zepyhr!"A look of quiet pride spread across Amelia's face. Evelyn was so excited she nearly jumped for joy."What do you mean?" Nicole frowned at Christine. "W







