Chapter 7: Secrets Next Door

Jamie temporarily stayed at my house.

I was about to help him unpack, but he pressed my shoulder and shooed me out of the guest room.

"Sis—you’ve worked hard taking care of that useless guy! I’ll do it myself."

"Is he hiding photos of his sister, or worried she’ll see his handcuffs? Hard to say."

"So exciting! Anyone know if the handcuffs got used?"

"They did, but... never mind, no spoilers!"

I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous.

But I still couldn’t believe he’d have other thoughts about me.

Jamie was abandoned by his birth parents.

He wandered, crying all night in the snow before realizing he’d been left behind.

A kind person brought him to the foster home.

Because he was smart, my parents adopted him.

I’ll never forget that thunderstorm night—the delicate boy looked up at me, carefully asking if he could sleep with me.

He was so obedient, scared but never crying out loud.

I wiped his tears again and again.

Gradually, he smiled more, becoming the reliable brother who always protected me.

Later he went abroad, and I didn’t see him for four or five years.

I missed him so much.

If you told me now that all those warm moments were calculated,

I couldn’t accept it.

But out of the corner of my eye, I saw Jamie secretly hiding a box.

My heart sank halfway.

I was dazed all day, forgetting about Carter.

At night, I couldn’t hold back anymore.

I decided to ask Jamie directly.

But I bumped into a warm chest.

Hot breath brushed my ear.

"Honey, why have you been watching Jamie?"

"He came, and now you ignore me?"

It was Carter.

He wore a fitted black sweater, making me feel hot.

His dark eyes locked on me, not letting me escape.

I pushed him gently.

"Jamie is just next door, don’t start anything."

Carter ignored me.

His hand slid from my collarbone to my waist.

Under the dim lamp, every touch was clear.

His kisses landed by my ear, voice growing husky.

"Does it matter if he’s here?"

"We’re legally married—we can do anything."

"Baby, you’re so cold to me today..."

He grabbed my hand, pressing it to his cheek, eyes full of longing.

"My heart hurts so much—comfort me, please?"

"Let’s keep it quiet."

"Jamie won’t hear."

Things were clearly about to get out of control.

As our breathing tangled, a gloomy voice called out from not far away:

"Sis, what are you doing?"

Jamie’s voice cut through the tension, sharp and accusing. The hallway light spilled in from under the door, and for a moment, all three of us were suspended—caught in a web of secrets, longing, and the impossible things we couldn’t say aloud.