Alistair leaned closer to Asher’s ear, his voice sharp and low. "You’re not fit to be her big brother," he said. "I am."
Asher’s jaw clenched tight as his fists curled at his sides. He wanted to say something, but nothing came out of his mouth.
Because deep down, even if he tried to deny it... he already knew that he had done nothing for Seraphina, and he felt guilty toward her.
Still, he was trying to make up for things for her, and Alistair arrived out of the blue, trying to take the credit that he had always been there for Seraphina!
Alistair didn’t spare him another glance. Instead, he walked up to Seraphina, his expression softening the moment their eyes met.
"Sera," he said gently, crouching a little so he could look at her clearly. "Let’s go. You’ve had enough for the day."
Seraphina blinked. She was still in a daze as her fingers twitched at her side.
Alistair reached out, brushing her knuckles lightly. "I’ll take you home. You don’t have to deal with this anymore," he said in a quiet voice. "Your big brother’s here now. I’ll handle everything."
For the first time in a long while, Seraphina didn’t feel like she had to pretend to be strong.
And behind them, Asher stood frozen, his eyes glued to her back—his throat tight, his hands shaking.
He was the one who said he’d protect her. So then why... why did it feel like he was the outsider now?
Asher stood still, his fingers tightening around the gift bag. His heart felt heavy. He had come here to surprise Seraphina, but he was even more surprised.
He didn’t know what to do anymore. The chocolates and the gifts he picked out for Seraphina suddenly felt useless in his hands.
His mind was blank, his chest tight, when a hand gently reached out and touched the edge of the chocolate box.
"Is... Is this for me?" Seraphina’s soft voice cut through the fog in his head.
He looked up with a stunned look and saw her eyes on him. Her tone wasn’t cold or harsh... it was just... calm and polite but distant.
A small smile tugged at his lips, and he tried hard to suppress the bitterness within him. "Ye... Yes, it was for you. But if you don’t want—"
"Thank you so much," she cut him off in a clear tone. "I’ll use it with love."
Then she paused for a moment, looking at him again. "Thank you for coming to see me, Brother."
And just like that, she turned around to leave, walking back to Alistair’s side before Asher could say anything else.
His smile dropped the second she turned. And he just stood there... looking at them.
Asher stood there quietly, watching Seraphina walk away with Alistair. He felt a little sad that she was leaving with Alistair... but deep down, he was dying of happiness.
Seraphina had come to him on her own. She hadn’t completely ignored him. She hadn’t thrown the gift away. In fact, she took the initiative to come to him and take the gift.
She had even called him Brother.
His fingers relaxed slightly, and for the first time in a while, a genuine smile tugged at the corner of his lips.
All the worries he had in his heart were puffed away, so that she wouldn’t even want the gift... But she did.
That was enough for him for now.
He glanced toward Alistair who was walking ahead with Seraphina—acting all smug and protective, like he owned the whole damn world. Asher scoffed silently and shook his head.
"Smirk all you want, big brother," he muttered under his breath. "She called me Brother, too. Let’s see how long you can keep acting like you’re the only one she loves."
With that, Asher’s attention once again turned toward the teacher, "He is letting you go but not me..." He proclaimed. "I will keep an eye on you, and the moment you do something that’d hurt her, I won’t mind ruining your whole life!"
Asher warned them in a stern tone and left without looking back.
Melissa stood frozen in the corridor, her hands clenched into tight fists.
There was no way she was being ignored by both of her big brothers in a single day!
Alistair had always been the one person who never failed to check on her. He always replied to her texts, always asked if she was doing okay or needed anything. But this time... he came all the way to the school and didn’t even glance at her?
He didn’t even leave her a message that he was coming back to the country!!
She had been standing there, waiting by the staircase, hoping he would walk out and go to see her the moment his eyes landed on her. But instead, he walked out with Seraphina beside him.
Melissa’s jaw clenched as she could hardly contain her rage that was bubbling inside her.
How could this be happening?
But she still kept her anger in check. She couldn’t let it ruin her sweet girl image in front of everyone.
Instead, she plastered a soft smile on her lips and straightened her skirt before walking toward them.
Everyone was watching, and she had to act carefully and perfectly.
"Sera, are you alright?" Melissa asked in a voice that was almost dripping with honey. "Did they hurt you or do something to you?"
Seraphina looked at her coldly.
The fake worry in Melissa’s voice made her nauseous. She had seen this act too many times before in her past life.
But she didn’t ignore her, but chose to act with her.
There were too many eyes on them, and if she turned her back now, she knew the story would flip in Melissa’s favor again. However, this time, she wouldn’t let her play the victim.
"I’m fine," Seraphina said flatly. "But thank you for asking... on camera."
Melissa blinked in confusion.