Chapter 207

“Ah!” Thorn let out a sharp cry as pain stabbed through his eye. He stumbled backward, clutching his face, his breath hissing through clenched teeth.

Rage surged in his chest. He snapped his head up, eyes blazing, desperate to see who dared hit him.

“Who the hell would be stupid enough to slap me?” he thought.

Even that bastard Wayne never touched his face—the face he prided himself on, the one he used as a weapon to charm Sienna. Touching his face was a direct, naked provocation, and to do it right in front of her—that was crossing the line.

Standing before him was a girl with the exact same phoenix eyes as Sienna, but her gaze was completely different—cold, sharp, and crackling with a dangerous, rebellious vibe.

“Is she her sister too?” he wondered.

“You think you even deserve to look at my sister? Get lost!” Winifred snapped, her eyes burning with anger and disdain.

Thorn clenched his jaw, shooting her a vicious glare. When Winifred saw that he still dared to stare her down, she tightened her fist, looking like she was about to punch him right in the face.

Thorn’s heart jolted, and he hurriedly backed away in a panic.

He gaped at Winifred, eyes wide with shock and fear. ‘Damn, this girl is savage,’ he thought.

“Sienna, who is this guy?” Winifred asked as Sienna came downstairs. She moved to stand protectively by her sister, shooting Thorn a guarded look.

This guy reeks of trouble, Winifred thought, half-dead and looking like he crawled out of a gutter, and he thinks he’s worthy of my…

“A toad dreaming of swan meat,” she scoffed inwardly.

“He’s someone I used to know. Winifred, go back to your room. I need to talk to him,” Sienna said, reaching out to ruffle Winifred’s hair gently. Her gaze was so soft and warm, it almost overflowed with tenderness.

It was like sunlight slowly melting the snow on a mountain—gentle, but unstoppable.

“So she really does have a gentle side?” Thorn thought in disbelief.

That was a look she had never shown in front of any of them before.

A dull ache gripped his chest, twisting tighter with every breath.

Sienna, in all these ten years in Meridia, did you never feel even a moment of happiness or warmth? Did you really… never have any feelings for me at all?

‘I don’t believe it! You were the one who dragged me out of the darkness. Don’t think you can just walk away from me now,’ he thought.

“Fine,” Winifred grumbled, shooting Thorn one last warning glare before reluctantly walking away.

“Come outside,” Sienna snapped, her tone impatient once Winifred had left.

“Seriously, Sirpac used to be your brother. Can’t you treat me better! My dear little sister,” Thorn said, his lips curling into a mocking smile.

He moved closer, his gaze searching hers, as if desperate to find the answer he wanted.

Sienna’s face was blank, her eyes utterly indifferent. “Just tell me what you want,” she said coldly.

Instead of leaving, Thorn sprawled lazily on the couch, making himself comfortable. He even had the gall to gesture for her to sit.

That infuriating, entitled attitude—like this was his home.

Sienna frowned, but before she could speak, Thorn chuckled. “Yeah, yeah, I know. I showed up uninvited. But still, isn’t it basic to offer a guest a drink?”

He flashed a cocky grin, and with that panda eye of his, he looked downright ridiculous.

Sienna let out a sigh. “Thorn, you have ten minutes. Get to the point.”

Thorn’s grin faded. His eyes darkened as he lowered his voice, letting out a bitter laugh. “You’re still as heartless as ever, Sienna. Tell me, what does the Noir family mean to you? Do we even count as family in your eyes?”