Chapter 69

“Brother, I want to be in the photo too,” Grace called out, instantly suppressing her jealousy and affecting a sugary tone. She wedged herself between Thalia and Asher.

Victoria gasped dramatically.

Sebastian turned to her with concern. “Victoria, what’s wrong?”

Victoria replied with mock seriousness, “Good Lord, what an enormous third wheel! I’m practically blinded by it.”

Despite Victoria’s comment, Grace remained firmly planted between Thalia and Asher, her skin apparently thick enough to withstand the barb. Seeing Grace wouldn't move, Victoria leisurely folded her selfie stick and turned to her with a forced smile. “So sorry, Grace, but we’ve finished taking photos. If you want a group shot, why not take one with Drake and your friends?”

Grace restrained her impulse to lash out, forcing a smile as she linked her arm through Asher’s. “Then I’ll just take a few photos alone with my brother.”

Thalia lowered her lashes, her gaze falling on Grace’s hand.

Asher extracted his arm, giving Grace a cold look. “Aren’t you a bit old to be clinging to your brother? Perhaps it’s time you found yourself a boyfriend.”

Even Grace’s practiced composure couldn't mask her dismay. Her carefully constructed expression cracked, her eyes revealing genuine hurt.

“Brother, why can’t I be close to you now that I’m grown? You used to dote on me so much.”

Asher remained cold and distant. “That was then, this is now. Grace, you need to understand boundaries.”

Grace’s recent behavior had made her intentions painfully clear to Asher. Only because she was his sister had he spared her the embarrassment of a public exposure of her true feelings. He’d also noticed Grace’s hostility and jealousy toward Thalia. Since Thalia disliked Grace, it was his duty as Thalia’s partner to make his position clear and protect her.

Asher’s words stunned Grace. “Brother, we’re siblings—what boundaries could possibly be needed?”

Victoria made a disapproving sound. “You’re really playing the ‘Blackwood sister’ card, aren’t you? What boundaries would be needed between an unrelated adult man and woman, I wonder?”

Grace’s eyes welled with tears as she looked at Asher pitifully.

Asher remained unmoved, his tone indifferent. “Victoria is right. Though we are siblings, we have no blood relation. You shouldn’t behave in ways that might cause misunderstandings.”

As Grace attempted to speak further, Asher sidestepped her and took Thalia’s hand. His dark eyes were deep and concerned. “Lia, we’ve finished with the photos. Shall we continue?”

Thalia smiled, her glance toward Grace filled with triumphant challenge. “Sister, if you want to take photos, stay and take your time. My fiancé and I will go ahead.”

Internally, Thalia mocked Grace. Perfect performance—you’ve truly mastered the art of playing the damsel in distress. The title of “pick-me queen” belongs to no one but you. Unfortunately for you, your brother has an excellent pick-me radar.

After sunset, the temperature plummeted. The stream added a distinct chill to the air, and the increasing humidity amplified the cold.

Asher pulled a thick jacket from his backpack. “Lia, put this on.”

Grace, lacking outdoor experience, was unprepared for the mountain’s significant temperature swings. Now she shivered in her lightweight hiking clothes. Seeing Asher give Thalia his jacket, jealousy burned within her.

Thalia had just put on the jacket and walked a short distance when she heard someone cry out.

She turned instinctively, but the winding path and trees obscured her view.

A moment later, Eliza, one of Grace’s friends, ran up, calling urgently, “Asher, Grace has twisted her ankle!”

Asher frowned. “Is it serious?”

Eliza’s anxiety seemed genuine. “It looks quite bad. She can’t walk. Please come and see.”

The mountain path was rugged; a twisted ankle was easy enough to acquire. Thalia’s initial instinct wasn't suspicion—after all, Grace was Asher’s sister. If injured, they should help her.

“Let’s see what’s happened,” Thalia said to Asher.

“Alright.”

Asher and Thalia followed Eliza back along the path. They found Grace sitting on a rock, biting her lip and whimpering.

“What happened?” Asher asked.

Grace looked up with tear-filled eyes. “I stepped on a small stone and slipped. I tumbled and hurt my ankle. It’s terribly painful.”

Thalia glanced at Grace’s injury. Her knee was dirty, her ankle scraped, with blood seeping through—she was genuinely injured.

Asher asked, “Can you still walk?”

“I can’t.” Tears streamed down her face. “It’s fine, brother. Don’t worry about me. We’re almost at the summit—you should go ahead and watch the meteor shower. I don’t want to ruin your evening.”

Asher nodded. “I’ll find someone to take you back down.”

Grace froze, her composure momentarily slipping before she quickly recovered and continued her tearful performance. “Brother, I… I really wanted to see the meteor shower too. Please don’t send me back down now—I’d hate to miss it completely.”

Grace’s earlier cry had been loud enough for Victoria and Sebastian, who were walking ahead, to hear. Victoria had returned just in time to hear Grace’s last statement.

Victoria glanced at Grace’s injury and twisted her mouth slightly. Well, well, she thought, playing the injured damsel now, are we?

Sure enough, Grace looked up with a pitiful expression. “Brother, could you carry me up the mountain? We’re not far from the summit, and I’m not heavy.”

Thalia and Victoria exchanged glances, then simultaneously looked at Asher.

It was true—they were only about a hundred meters from the summit viewing platform.

Grace’s request seemed reasonable.

But Thalia and Victoria knew better.

Grace’s motives were far from pure.

Thalia remained silent, waiting for Asher’s response.

Asher looked around, then at the ground.

Grace, confused, asked, “Brother, what is it?”

Asher’s voice was cool and detached. “If you’re so keen to see the meteor shower, you can sit right here and watch. The view is quite good from this spot. It’s not as perfect as the summit platform, but certainly adequate for seeing the meteors.”

“What?” Grace hadn’t expected this response.

She bit her lip, her face paler in the dim light. “Brother, I don’t want to stay here alone. If everyone else is at the viewing platform, I’ll be frightened.”

Asher remained unmoved, his demeanor cold and distant. “Don’t you have two friends with you? They can keep you company. I’ll have someone bring you food shortly, and after the meteor shower, I’ll arrange for someone to take you back down. You shouldn’t spend the night on the mountain.”

Victoria shot Thalia a meaningful look. Your man certainly knows how to handle these situations.

Grace couldn’t accept this.

Crying, she said, “Brother, why won’t you carry me to the viewing platform? Are you afraid Thalia will be upset? Is she really that petty? I’m your sister—is she really jealous of even that?”