The man had broad shoulders and a slim waist, looking a bit thinner than a few months ago. His hair was damp, a towel draped over his shoulders, as if he had just taken a shower. When he saw Grace Sawyer, the corner of his mouth twitched. He picked up the fork from the fruit plate in her hand, stabbed a piece of watermelon, and walked inside.

It was as if she had seen a ghost. Grace Sawyer called out, trembling, “Bro—Brother.”

“What?” Ethan Sawyer glanced at her, took a bite of watermelon, “Stunned by my good looks again?”

“I…”

Before she could finish, the man behind her suddenly burst out laughing, cutting Grace Sawyer off.

Grace Sawyer rarely felt so flustered, and couldn’t help but look in his direction.

What met her eyes was a presence even more dazzling than the sunlight outside the window.

The man’s features relaxed, making him look less aloof. The ends of his eyes tilted up, and light flickered in his pale irises, carrying a hint of spring, like a seductive male spirit straight out of a tale.

Grace Sawyer’s heart skipped half a beat in that instant.

It was as if she had been bewitched, her soul easily captured.

Thinking he was mocking her, Ethan Sawyer looked at him: “Henry Bennett, what are you laughing—”

Because of Grace Sawyer’s presence, Ethan Sawyer didn’t finish the string of curse words that followed. He changed the subject, picked up the phone beside him, opened the text message screen, and waved it at Grace Sawyer.

“Kid, what trouble have you gotten into this time?”

Displayed on the screen was their recent conversation.

That fleeting, heart-stopping feeling vanished without a trace the moment Ethan Sawyer interrupted. Grace Sawyer immediately retorted, “I didn’t get into any trouble.”

Ethan Sawyer stared at her, raising his eyebrows, “Good, that’s best.”

“…” Grace Sawyer needed his help, so she braced herself and said, “But, brother, I have something to ask…”

There was still a stranger present whom she’d never seen before. Grace Sawyer glanced in his direction, then looked at Ethan Sawyer, her eyes hinting at something, but she hesitated to speak.

Ethan Sawyer pretended not to notice.

Then, the stranger spoke up, his tone full of interest: “Ethan Sawyer, is this your sister?”

Ethan Sawyer walked over and sat on the bed: “What, you think she’s my daughter?”

“…”

Grace Sawyer, returning the courtesy, also asked, “Brother, who is this?”

Ethan Sawyer was concise: “Roommate, Henry Bennett.”

“Don’t recognize me?” Henry Bennett said, “Didn’t you just call me brother?”

His words made Grace Sawyer recall her silly thoughts from earlier. Her forced composure instantly crumbled, and she looked a bit annoyed.

Ethan Sawyer gave a short laugh, “How affectionate.”

While they spoke, Henry Bennett had already walked up to Grace Sawyer and crouched down in front of her. He looked her in the eyes seriously, his pale pupils gentle yet somehow bewitching: “My name is Henry Bennett, I’m your brother’s friend.”

Grace Sawyer looked away, her expression a little uneasy, “Oh.”

After formally introducing himself to a half-grown kid, Henry Bennett tilted his head and returned to his usual nonchalant demeanor: “Ethan Sawyer.”

Ethan Sawyer didn’t even look up, still playing with his phone.

Henry Bennett asked, “So, do I look a lot like you?”

What kind of question was that?

Ethan Sawyer paused, looked up, “Go look in the mirror.”

“Well then.” Henry Bennett took the fruit plate from Grace Sawyer’s hand, “Why did this kid just ask me—”

“…”

He paused for two seconds.

Henry Bennett laughed again, “Did you think I had plastic surgery?”

“…”

After a brief silence.

Ethan Sawyer said coolly, “What do you mean by that?”

“Brother!” Afraid of upsetting Ethan Sawyer and losing his help with the teacher, Grace Sawyer hurriedly changed the subject, “Didn’t you say you weren’t coming back?”

“Kid.” Remembering Grace Sawyer’s earlier expression, Ethan Sawyer said expressionlessly, “You thought he was me?”

“…N-no.”

“And you thought I’d had plastic surgery to look like him?”

“…”

“How did you come up with that?” Ethan Sawyer was always brimming with confidence, his tone cocky and mean, “Me, get plastic surgery? And to look like him—”

Seeing he was about to go on and on, Grace Sawyer lost her temper too: “Isn’t it only natural you’d want to look like him!”

“…”

“Mom didn’t tell me you were bringing a friend home.” Anger made Grace Sawyer revert to her usual unruly self, “And there was only this person in the room. Isn’t it normal for me to think that way!”

Ethan Sawyer impatiently dug at his ear, “Keep your voice down.”

Grace Sawyer scowled, “Why should I? I’m not bothering anyone.”

The siblings faced off.

Ethan Sawyer had no intention of backing down, and kept fanning the flames: “You’re bothering me.”

Seeing the argument was about to escalate.

Henry Bennett took the initiative to ease the tension, waving at Grace Sawyer: “Kid, come eat some fruit.”

With a friend present, Ethan Sawyer had no interest in bullying his always-defiant sister any further. He glanced at his phone and said to Henry Bennett, “Do you want to take a shower? You can head back to school after.”

“No, thanks.” Henry Bennett stabbed a piece of watermelon and handed it to Grace Sawyer, “Finish the fruit before you go.”

Grace Sawyer pressed her lips together, subconsciously glancing at Henry Bennett.