Chapter 2Not Your Average Brother

Fear and uncertainty made me want to retreat.

I couldn't bear to imagine Sebastian patting another girl's head with eyes full of adoration, couldn't bear him telling me I wasn't his favorite sister anymore.

When I was little, I cried for three days straight when I learned Sebastian would eventually marry another girl.

Now, even the sibling bond was gone?

I was scared. My first instinct was to run.

If I ran, I wouldn't have to face it. Like an ostrich burying its head in the sand.

But I didn't mean to hurt him.

I pouted, tears falling like broken pearls.

Seeing me like this, Sebastian sighed in resignation.

He used his uninjured arm to gently pull me into his embrace.

"Don't worry. Whether you are a Sterling by blood or not, Big Brother loves you."

He paused before the last two words, saying them softly, but I heard them.

Hearing Sebastian's familiar gentle voice, my anxious heart settled a little.

I leaned into his chest and bawled, soaking his custom-made shirt until the pink of his skin showed through.

Tired from crying, I looked up slightly and rubbed the top of my fluffy head against Sebastian's chin.

Like a little kitten. I've always acted cute like this with him since I was small.

"What's wrong?" Sebastian scratched my chin.

"Big Brother, I'm sorry."

Sebastian gently patted my hair. "It's okay, it doesn't hurt."

"How could it not hurt? It's all red."

Sebastian hesitated before speaking. "Blow on it for me, Harper, and it won't hurt."

I looked at this usually staid and serious brother in confusion. Was he acting cute?

But I gently blew on his arm anyway.

Looking up, I saw Sebastian's pale face was flushed red.

"Big Brother, do you have a fever?"

Sebastian turned his head and coughed. "No. It doesn't hurt anymore."

"Why didn't you dodge earlier?"

"If I dodged, it would have scalded you."

Sebastian pressed my head deeper into his chest, sighed lightly, and rested his chin on top of my head.

"As long as I'm here, I won't let you get hurt."

Hearing this, my eyes reddened again. I wrapped my arms around his waist and sobbed quietly into his chest.

I felt Sebastian's body stiffen instantly under my hands, muscles going taut.

"Big Brother?"

I looked up, staring at him with teary eyes.

Sebastian put me down from his embrace and awkwardly scratched the bridge of his nose.

"Stop acting cute. Eat your dinner."

I sat at the small table. Just as I picked up my spoon, my second brother, Julian, ran over excitedly.

"Sebastian! Sebastian! The new sister is back! She's gorgeous!"

My hand shook, and the spoon fell back into the bowl.

"I knew you guys didn't want me anymore. I'm entering my villain era. I'm running away."

Sebastian shot a glare at Julian at the door, a look that promised murder.