Chapter 29


    Samuel frowned as he looked at Xanthea, swaddled inyers despite the scorching summer heat.


    “Xan, why on earth are you wrapped up like it’s winter? And that scarf, really?”


    Bombarded with questions, Xanthea felt her head spin.


    I


    “Well, can I just go upstairs and drop off my stuff first?”


    Without waiting for an answer, she dashed upstairs, yanked off her scarf, and grimaced at the twin ‘love


    bites’ Orion had left on her neck. Were they from a dog? What would parents think if they saw?


    a her


    She grabbed her concealer and worked diligently until the marks were barely visible, then slipped on a


    turtleneck just to be sure. Satisfied that no one could see the marks, she opened her door.


    Matthew, who had been waiting right outside, nearly stumbled in.


    “Matt?”


    “Sorry, Xan,” he stammered. “I was just about to knock. Where were you tonight? I’ve been really


    worried!”


    “Tonight,” Xanthea nced at him, a trace of hurt in her eyes. “After the awards, I wanted to tell you


    first, Matt. But I saw you leaving with Miranda, and when I tried to catch up, I got mobbed by fans. My


    dress almost got ripped, and it was only when my uncle showed up that I managed to escape.”


    Matthew hurriedly exined, “Xan, don’t get me wrong. I didn’t leave with Miranda on purpose. She


    was upset, and I thought it might affect you, so I had the driver take her home early.”


    So that’s why she hadn’t seen them at the event.


    “I wouldn’t misunderstand, Matt. It’s just sad I couldn’t celebrate with you


    His guilt, already simmering from the wait, deepened. He cursed himself for his indecisiveness with


    Miranda, which almost led him astray.


    previous


    “I’m


    sorry, Xan. I really wanted to celebrate with you today. I even bought flowers. And you, you were so


    stunning on stage tonight, so charming, totally different from usual.”


    His eyes, filled with passion and admiration, didn’t escape Xanthea’s notice. She chuckled inwardly; he


    really could have been an Oscar winner, not just a charming face in the crowd.


    “Really? Then I’ll sing just for you, Matt.”


    “Please do!”


    1/2


    Just as Matthew reached for her hand, Xanthea, light as a bird, flitted downstairs. “Mom, did you make


    all this delicious food for my celebration?”


    Watching her retreat, Matthew let his hand fall, resigning himself to wait a little longer. Soon, he


    thought, they would be engaged, and she would truly be his.


    Back when he considered engagements merely a formality, now he couldn’t wait for theirs.


    Susanna, hearing Xanthea’s voice echo through the mansion, scolded gently, “Keep it down, don’t


    wake your sister.”


    Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    Xanthea stuck out her tongue yfully. She loved stirring things up.


    “You little mischief-maker! Not a peep aboutpeting in ‘The Masked Singer, especially to Miranda.


    She’s been so confident, bragging about winning since the first episode. And then you swooped in and


    snatched it right from under her. She’s been crying in her room since we got home.”


    “Mom, it’s not ‘swooping in’ if it’s done fair and square with sheer talent!”


    Samuel, unable to contain his pride, wrapped an arm around Xanthea. Ethan chimed in, “Xan, I


    watched the finale live. In a word, you were spectacr, the star of the show.”


    “Thanks, Ethan, Samuel!”


    “There she goes, gloating again. Spoiled rotten by her brothers! You don’t understand the situation!”


    Christopher scolded her. “Xan, you were wrong not to tell us earlier. Go get your sister for dinner.”


    As he spoke, Miranda’s door upstairs swung open.


    The girl emerged in a thin nightgown, her hair disheveled, eyes red and face streaked with


    tears.


    Seeing her state, Susanna rushed over. “Miranda, you’re up! Come, the food’s ready. Your sister just


    got back, and I’ve already scolded her.”