Phases of the Moon (Fitzmael 1) - COMPLETED

18: Qin Ai De

"SO, YOU'RE HIS girlfriend?"

The voice was familiar. As soon as I opened my eyes, I saw my cousins frowning as they looked at me.

"Yes!" Amaris replied.

"Marcus, I thought Imil's been a hopeless romantic for over five years now?" Ren remarked.

"Looks like we can't tease him anymore!" Cedar chime in.

"Let's just leave it. He's been heartbroken for five years. He deserves to be happy," Marcus responded simply.

I looked up at Amaris. I smiled when our gazes met. I turned my attention back to my cousins who had come from abroad.

"You're sleeping so soundly," Serene said with a grin.

I immediately sat up and fixed myself. "How long have you been here? What time is it?"

"We've been here for two hours!" Cedar complained.

"Amaris told us not to wake you up," Catmint said.

I looked at Amaris.

She smiled broadly at me.

I smiled back.

"This house is huge! Are you planning on having multiple kids?" Cedar asked as he looked around the house.

"Yes," I answered briefly.

They all suddenly exclaimed in excitement.

I looked at Amaris, who was blushing.

I shook my head. I wasn't used to it yet, but I was happy. "Anyway, where are Janu and Sweetheart?" I asked Marcus.

"They're in the room. They're shy to come down," he said.

"Where's Franco?" Lilac asked.

Marcus clenched his fist. He exchanged a look with Amaris.

Serene looked pale.

I just observed them, confused. I cleared my throat. "What's going on?" I asked coldly.

There was a long, awkward silence.

Then Marcus spoke. "F-Franco physically abused Jarzaiah," anger was evident on his face.

"What?!" My cousins and I exclaimed in unison.

My heart sank. I never once imagined he could do something like that. He was the oldest, and we looked up to him.

Jarzaiah didn't deserve this.

"And you didn't tell us?" I asked.

"Jarzaiah didn't want us to tell you at first since she didn't want any trouble. We decided to tell you now," he sighed deeply.

"What the hell?!" Ren cursed.

"It's really my fault. I pushed her away," Marcus murmured.

He was frustrated and hurt. All he wanted was to make her brother happy, but Franco took it for granted.

"Is she okay?" Ren asked.

"No..." His voice cracked. "She doesn't want to see me... And I don't know what to do anymore."

"She needs time to heal," Cedar said, patting his back.

I leaned back against the sofa and looked up. I shut my eyes tightly to calm myself. I wanted to punch him... But I think Marcus' punch would do.

A few moments later, Amaris hugged me.

The warmth that it gave made my heart skipped a beat. I wrapped my arms around her, but I didn't hold her as tightly as she held me. I couldn't let her think I had completely surrendered.