Chapter 438

“Are you having fun with your brothers?” Shanley, of course, knew exactly what she was thinking. A low, husky laugh rumbled in his chest, laced with affection. “I didn’t want to interrupt your reunion, that’s why I didn’t contact you today.”
“Oh,” Juniper mumbled, leaning closer to the camera to get a better look at him. “My brothers are great.”
They were wonderful to her. She felt at home here.
“Are you happy?” Shanley asked again.
“Happy,” Juniper replied. It wasn’t a lie. She was happy, but there was an
undeniable emptiness too.
“That’s good,” he said, relieved. “It’s late, you should get some rest. I’ll call you again tomorrow, okay?”
Just then, Felton’s voice cut in from off-screen. “Sir, the international conference call will begin in five minutes.”
“I’m hanging up,” Juniper said quickly, not wanting to disturb his work, and ended the call.
At that moment, there was a knock on the door. Dana came in with a small box. “I’m so sorry, Ms. Payne. Mr. Schwartz asked me to give this to you, and I completely forgot.”
Juniper opened it to find an assortment of her favorite candies in all different colors and flavors. Her gloomy mood lifted slightly.
But to her surprise, that night, she suffered from insomnia. For the first time in her life, she lay awake from dusk till dawn. She only got up when Dana came to tell her breakfast was ready. It was eight in the morning. She had been awake for nine straight hours. Even her beloved candy hadn’t helped.
The thought of another sleepless night ahead soured her mood completely.
After freshening up, Juniper went down to the dining room and sat down.
“Good morning.”
“Morning
Jimmie started to reply with a smile, but stopped short
when he saw her exhausted face.
The dark circles under her eyes were especially prominent Had she slept. poorly, or… not at all?
“Have some sweet soup,” Harold said, ladling a bowl and placing it carefully in front of her.
“Juniper, have an egg,” Melvin added, doting on her.
They had consulted with that “old
man” Shanley and prepared all of her favorite foods. But it seemed
Juniper had no appetite. The gir
who normally ate so much only managed two sips of soup.
“I’m full,” she said, putting down her spoon and forcing a smile. “You guys go ahead.” Then she went to the sofa to play games on her phone, looking utterly dejected.
The three brothers exchanged glances, their hearts aching for her.
“It seems my previous guess was wrong,” Jimmie said, slowly eating a piece of toast, a helpless smile on his lips. “One week? I overestimated our sister.”
Harold and Melvin looked over at their listless sister. You’d think they were the villains who had broken up a happy couple. That old fox Shanley really had his methods. In just three short months, he had made their sister completely devoted to him.
“Just eat,” Jimmie said, pulling out his phone to send a text. “As much as I want us
to be together as a family, I want Juniper to be happy more.”
Harold and Melvin knew what he was thinking and silently agreed. Their sister’s happiness was the most important thing. Besides, they trusted Shanley to take care of her.
Jimmie typed out a message: [Bring my sister’s soul with you.]