Chapter 156


    Chapter 156


    “Because Phillip’s always been good to me.”


    Curtis snorted, “Who hasn’t he been nice to?”


    “That’s not the point,” Leanne replied, her voice firm yet tinged with warmth. “I only care.


    about who’s nice to me.”


    The circle of people who treated her well was small, so she held them dear.


    After all, wasn’t someone’s kindness already precious? Why would you need exclusivity to


    feel content?


    “Am I not nice to you?” Curtis countered, his tone a blend of sarcasm and genuine curiosity.


    Leanne met his gaze steadily, her eyes silently challenging. “What do you think?”


    “How have I not been nice to you?” Curtis ground his teeth, frustration mounting. “Leanne, don’t you


    have a heart?”


    “You made fun of me,” she said.


    “When have I ever made fun of you


    you?”


    Leanne turned her face away, reliving old wounds she’d rather not reopen.


    “You said my hair looked like a mop.”


    She was 12 years old, at that tender age when a girl’s self-esteem was budding. Fresh from the


    orphanage to the Richardson family, she got the nickname “Mop Head” from Devin and his cronies,


    which had stung for a long time.


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    “When did I say that…” Curtis trailed off as the memory hit him.


    The orphanage where Leanne had stayed was a modest ce back then, and they hadn’t taken great


    care of a delicate little girl like her. Her once beautiful bair had been left tangled and unkempt.


    Sarah decided to y hairdresser on Leanne, with zero expertise, and it resulted in a


    disastrous ‘do.


    A smirk curled the edge of Curtis’ lips. “That’s it?”


    Leanne remained silent, stubbornly turned away.


    Curtis couldn’t believe such a trivial reason had stuck with her.


    He had teased countless people in his life. Inparison, the mopment was practically a


    compliment.


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    11:29


    Chapter Chapter 156


    Any lingering shade in his heart was swept away by the bemusement mixed with


    affection.


    He pinched Leanne’s earlobe between his thumb and forefinger, giving it a gentle shake. “Why do you


    hold grudges like this? Even an ant has a bigger heart than you do.”


    For some reason, Leanne felt embarrassed, like an old, disused well suddenly spouting water. The


    feeling she had when he hadughed at her “mop head” returned.


    “Your heart’s bigger, able to fit a hundred girls on it,” she retorted, knocking his hand away. and walking


    back to her room.


    Without a second thought for the pool, she fled like a deserter to her sanctuary, determined to shut the


    door behind her.


    Curtis followed with augh, blocking the door with his hand.


    “Can I apologize? Will that make it better?”


    His hand pressed against the door, his posture casual yet sincere as he lowered his voice in a coaxing


    tone. “I wasn’t making fun of you. Mops are useful, you know. And that haircut was cute.”


    Leanne’s ears burned, perhaps from where he had pinched them.


    “Are you done?” she asked with annoyance and vulnerability.


    “Not quite.”


    Curtis’zy yet intense gaze watched the blush spread across her cheeks. She struggled to maintain


    herposure, and he felt a featherlight touch of mischief in his heart.


    “So, because I teased about your hair, you prefer Phillip over me? How is that just?”


    Leanne couldn’t understand why he had to keep bringing Phillip into this to humiliate her.


    She felt a surge of indignant rage.


    “Phillip is better to me in so many ways. He’s kind and thoughtful, remembers my birthday. and buys


    me cakes. Are you happy now?”


    “The cake was always from me,” Curtis said, feeling wronged. If only he had known not to let Phillip


    help with the delivery.


    He cursed his sharp tongue, always teasing her without realizing how sensitive and unforgiving a


    young girl’s pride could be. No wonder Leanne had always been so aloof toward him.


    He couldn’t remember what had upset her that time. He bought the cake and knocked on her door, but


    she wouldn’t open it. Atst, he had Phillip bring it to her, warning him not to mention who it was from,


    fearing she’d refuse it out of spite.


    In the following years, he let Phillip handle the cake deliveries. It was easier that


    way.


    11:29


    Chew 156


    After all, it didn’t matter whether it was from him or Phillip, right? It was for her either way


    Curtis never expected this woulde back to haunt him yearster Otherwise, he would have broken


    down the door himself that day.