Masuk"Do you still love him?"Sebastian had blurted out the question that had been weighing on his mind.Rosie stopped chewing her taco, swallowing with some difficulty. For a moment, she said nothing. Then she turned towards the window, staring blankly at the fluorescent lights streaming past as though they held the answer she was searching for.The pleasant atmosphere in the car shattered in an instant.Sebastian cursed himself for his stupidity, wishing he could somehow take back the question.You fucking idiot! Why would you ask that? he berated himself. Are you even prepared to hear the answer? What if she tells you she's still in love with Charles? You'll only end up hurting yourself, you bloody fool!He had often wondered what he would do if Rosie still loved his elder brother.He could tell himself that it was all right, that she would eventually move on and that, in time, her feelings for Charles would fade.But deep down, Sebastian knew the truth.It would hurt like hell.If Rosi
When the film ended, Sebastian was about to ask whether Izzie wanted to watch another one when Rosie quickly tapped her wrist, signalling him not to even think about it. If he offered another film, they would end up spending the entire night in the cinema.Sebastian chuckled at her silent warning. He ruffled Izzie's hair affectionately and asked, "Happy with your reward?""Mm-hmm! Thank you so much, Uncle!" Izzie exclaimed, wrapping her arms around his neck again.This time, however, she showed no intention of letting go."Izzie, come on. Let Uncle go. We need to get home," Rosie coaxed gently.Izzie shook her head and buried her face against Sebastian's chest. "I want Uncle to carry me."Rosie gave Sebastian an apologetic look, but he merely laughed."Of course. Why not?"He scooped Izzie into his arms with effortless ease, and the three of them left the cinema together.By the time they reached the car, it was nearly midnight. Izzie yawned several times, growing sleepier by the minu
Rosie glanced at Sebastian and lowered her voice, careful not to disturb her daughter."How did you get the recording?" she whispered. "This is the school's official recording, isn't it? I doubt the headmaster would simply give you a copy..."In truth, Sebastian had obtained the recording with Desiree's help. They had discovered that one of Desiree's university friends worked in the school's administration department, and she'd kindly provided Desiree with a copy, thinking little of it."I have my ways, don’t worry." Sebastian gave Rosie a reassuring smile. "I haven't aroused anyone's suspicions. Now, stop worrying and enjoy the film."Rosie still had a dozen questions she wanted to ask, but before she could open her mouth, Izzie tugged at the hem of her shirt."Look, Mummy!" the little girl exclaimed, pointing excitedly at the screen. "I'm blowing down the straw house built by the first little pig!"Rosie's attention immediately shifted to her daughter, and whatever questions she'd b
“Uncle, have you got any cake for me? You promised to give me cake after I played the Big Bad Wolf! My drama teacher said I was the best wolf they'd ever had!”Sebastian burst out laughing at Izzie’s enthusiastic question.“Hahaha! Yes, I watched your performance on your mum's phone. You were brilliant on stage.” He ruffled her hair affectionately. “You terrified those three little pigs. I reckon you could've made them cry if you'd howled a bit louder!”“Of course! I could’ve eaten them too if I'd wanted!” Izzie declared proudly.Without warning, she threw back her head and let out a series of enthusiastic howls, transforming the inside of the car into a miniature wolf's den.Sebastian immediately joined in, howling even louder to challenge his little niece.The resulting cacophony was enough to make Rosie shake her head in amusement.“Honestly, you two are as bad as each other,” she muttered, though she couldn't quite suppress her smile.For a while, the car was filled with laughter
It took them a while to finish all the courses. After lingering at the table for another half an hour, they finally got up to leave."Come on. We've still got somewhere else to visit," Sebastian announced."We do?" Izzie looked up at him, her eyes bright with curiosity. "Are we getting ice cream?""Izzie, you've already had cake and ice cream cake for dessert. You don't need any more ice cream," Rosie chided gently. "You'll make yourself ill if you eat too much."Izzie pouted, her little face falling with disappointment. Unfortunately, she knew her mummy was right.There had been plenty of occasions when she'd sneaked downstairs in the middle of the night to raid the fridge for biscuits and ice cream, only to wake up the following morning with a dreadful stomach ache.She couldn't exactly argue with that."Hahaha! No, we're not getting any more ice cream," Sebastian said, chuckling at his niece's crestfallen expression. "But I’ve got a present for you, Izzie.""A present?!"Izzie's ey
The restaurant owner and several waiters were already waiting inside. As soon as Sebastian, Rosie and Izzie arrived, the doors were opened for them, and the owner stepped forward with a welcoming smile."Good evening, Mr Edward Sterling, and..." Carlos's gaze shifted to Rosie and Izzie. His smile widened as he took in the two ladies accompanying his friend. "Two absolutely gorgeous ladies! I've been expecting you. Please, follow me to your table."Sebastian eyed Carlos suspiciously.The two men had been friends since university and had kept in touch even after Carlos moved to London. Sebastian had followed a year later, and their friendship had continued ever since.Naturally, Sebastian frequented Carlos's restaurant whenever he took a new woman out on a date.And that was quite often.Carlos was practically an expert on Sebastian's romantic history by now.Which was precisely why Sebastian didn't want his friend mentioning anything about his previous dates in front of Rosie and Izzie
Rosie sat at the dining table, the candlelight flickering softly against untouched plates. The roasted chicken—Isabella’s favourite—had long since gone cold.She glanced at the clock.Nine o’clock.Charles Sterling was not home.He had promised. He had promised their daughter he would return before
Rosie scarcely realised she had begun to run until the corridor stretched before her like something endless, her heels striking sharply against the marble as though urging her forward. Tears blurred her vision, spilling freely now, unchecked and unwelcome.This family… they’re all monsters.The tho
Her fingers trembled as she dialled his number.He picked up almost immediately.“Yes?”“Where is my daughter?” Rosie demanded.A soft chuckle. “You mean our daughter?”Her jaw tightened. “Don’t play games with me, Charles.”“She’s fine,” he said casually. “We’re at the toy store. She’s picking wha
Rosie reacted at once, catching hold of her daughter’s arm and gently but firmly pulling her aside.“I’m so sorry, Sebastian,” she said quickly. “P–Please don’t be upset with Izzie. She’s only a child, I—”“Tch. It’s fine,” he cut in, dismissive. “Just make me the same smoothie. And from now on, yo







