Chapter 230

The next morning, Noelle and Elvie came downstairs together.

Eli passed by, took one look at them, and immediately launched into a critique. “Noelle, what the hell happened to you last night! You look like you spent the evening hotboxing with a bunch of stoners.”

Noelle had two impressive dark circles under her eyes, her entire aura drained and sluggish. In stark contrast, Elvie looked radiant – completely refreshed after a good night’s sleep. She was her usual clingy self, holding tightly onto Noelle’s arm, her bright blue eyes scanning the room with curiosity.

The moment her gaze landed on Adriel, she released Noelle without hesitation and dashed over with glee. She flung herself into Adriel’s arms, nuzzling against him like an affectionate kitten.

Adriel didn’t hold back either – he wrapped his arms around her with practiced ease, his gaze softening in a way that completely ignored his brother's reactions. “Did you sleep well, Elvie?”

Elvie nodded eagerly, her whole face glowing.

Noelle watched this exchange in silent frustration. Seriously! She looks exactly the same as yesterday. Totally fine. If I had known she was going to be this cheerful, I would’ve just gone to sleep too!

But she hadn’t. She’d spent the entire night on high alert, keeping one eye open in case Elvie tried anything again. And now, after pulling an all-nighter, she had a full day of back-to-back classes.

To put it mildly, her emotional battery was drained. Negativity: maxed out.

“You’re zoning out,” Eli said, noticing her dazed expression. He waved a hand in front of her face. “Hey! Anyone home!”

Noelle blinked, then turned to him with a lifeless look. “Didn’t sleep. Had too much on my mind.”

“What’s weighing on you?” Eli asked, genuinely puzzled.

Try nearly getting killed in your sleep by the girl currently cuddling your brother, she thought. But she couldn’t say that out loud.

Instead, she sighed dramatically and gave Eli a soulful look. “With everything that’s happened – Leia being arrested, Dad still in the hospital… how are you even managing to sleep!”

That hit Eli right in the heart.

Wow. Noelle’s so thoughtful, he mused. Even after how we all treated her before, she’s the one lying awake at night worrying about the family. I didn’t lose a wink of sleep, but she did. Blood really is thicker than water… unlike that backstabbing witch Leia who tried to poison Dad.

Overwhelmed with guilt and affection, Eli reached out and ruffled Noelle’s hair. “So that’s what’s been bothering you, huh? Don’t worry. Dad’s doing better every day, and Mom’s with him. He’ll be fine.”

Noelle gave a small nod.

Eli looked at her again, this time with real admiration. “You know, Noelle… you’re actually a pretty great person.”

She blinked, a beat behind, not quite following where this was going.

Without warning, Eli threw an arm around her shoulders, pulling her into a side hug with surprising emotion. “From now on, you’re my only sister. Leia’s dead to me.”

Noelle was caught off guard, stiff in his grip.

What just happened? she thought in disbelief. What did I even do?

Back then, she practically had to chase him down, showering him with affection just to get a lukewarm response. But now, she barely said a word, and he was suddenly all over her with this passionate declaration of loyalty!

Noelle had no idea what was going on in Eli’s head. But one thing was clear: self-sabotage is real – because apparently, the less she tried, the more they came to her on their own.