Pretending to be innocent, but unable to conceal her provocation and arrogance due to her youth.
“What do you need, Sister?” I can pass it along to you.”
My heart gradually calmed, and I felt free of any lingering attachments.
I replied flatly, “Nothing.”
I hung up.
After everyone had finished their calls and eaten lunch, we entered the research institute.
A single door separated us from the outside world.
I took out my SIM card, broke it in half, and threw it away.
I stepped through the door, not looking back.
After only a week in the northern territories, Colton proposed returning to the central camp.
But as the Full Moon Festival approached, Amara insisted on staying until after the festival, claiming there would be special celebrations that day.
Colton was preparing to refuse instinctively.
Although pack affairs had slowed as the Full Moon Festival approached, he wasn’t as busy now.
However, for reasons he couldn’t pinpoint, this trip to the North felt incomplete.
They had only been there for seven days, but it felt like they had been there much longer.
He was looking for an excuse to go back.
Before he could think of one, Maddox spoke gently:
“We can come back and play another time.
“There’s an issue with the warriors I’m training. I need to go back.”
Amara was in the midst of enjoying herself when she objected angrily, “You just told Sabrina that everything was handled!”
Maddox fell silent, seemingly guilty, and gazed out the window.
After a while, he frowned and intentionally changed the subject.
“I’ve said many times, don’t call her ‘Sabrina’. You should call her ‘sister’.”
Amara twisted her mouth in disgust, “She’s not even really family,” and dashed out, abandoning her newly acquired toy.
Theo looked at the teddy bear that had been thrown on the floor.
Suddenly, he remembered Sabrina’s favourite style when she was younger.
What was Sabrina like as a child?
Theo tried hard to remember but realised he could barely remember.
All I could think of was Sabrina crying and shouting, demanding that Amara leave.
Later, Sabrina became increasingly quiet and reserved.
She was no longer eager to speak with them, always saying she was too busy at the military camp and rarely returned home.
Occasionally, Amara damaged her belongings.
She would lose control and become angry, then collect herself and say, calmly and dispassionately, “Forget it.”
She became increasingly interested in staying at the military camp.
Colton would occasionally run into her there.
She’d be laughing with her classmates one moment, and then her expression would change to quiet and awkward when she met his gaze.
Colton picked up the toy off the floor.
He suddenly felt as though he had lost something.
When did he lose it?
When did that wilful, spoilt Sabrina begin to disappear?
Maddox’s slightly cold voice interrupted his thoughts.
“I am going back tonight.
“If Amara wants to play, you can stay with her.”
“I’m going back, too,” Theo added.
Colton looked up abruptly and noticed a hint of unease in Theo’s eyes.
The same unease that Colton felt in his heart.
Colton said almost instinctively and urgently, “I’m going back tonight, too.”
Maddox said nothing more and quietly began packing his luggage.
They arrived in the central camp the following evening.
On the way back, Colton’s brow twitched violently for no apparent reason.
Sabrina was not present when they returned home.
The housekeeper approached to greet them.
He handed over his coat, casually asking, “Sabrina hasn’t returned yet?”
The housekeeper shook her head. “Miss hasn’t been back.”
Colton frowned: “It’s been more than a week. Tomorrow marks the Full Moon Festival. How could she not be back already?”
The housekeeper had been with the Suttons for years and had a soft spot for Sabrina.
Her voice became noticeably colder: “I wouldn’t know.”
Colton wanted to ask more.
Amara rolled her eyes impatiently, clung to his arm, and whined:
“She’ll be back eventually.
“Forget all that, big brother.
