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"I get it.” Emma's voice trembled. “I'm the outsider here now…"
I saw Julian roll his eyes. I wanted to too, but I couldn't be bothered.
"Any room with a window works for me,"
I said casually.
Julian looked relieved, probably glad I wasn't making a scene. "Pick any room you like then. Except Mom and Dad's. I'll arrange a proper room for you tomorrow."
Emma put on a wounded expression. "I can handle it."
Julian ignored her and said to me, "I have got a board meeting this afternoon. If you need anything, wait till I'm back tonight."
"Okay,"
I replied, still lying on the sofa like a corpse.
Julian shook his head, clearly irritated by my lethargy, and left.
Big shot at the firm, apparently.
The moment he was gone, Emma was all smiles, "Skylar, let me show you the best room. You'll love it."
"Sure,"
I grunted, hauling myself up.
If I could've just crashed right there on the living room rug, I would have. I really can't be bothered to move.
I knew Emma was up to something, but I was too tired to care.
Sure enough, she led me to a room on the second floor.
It was pristine, smelling faintly of sandalwood. Everything was meticulously arranged.
The owner was clearly a serious neat freak.
From what I'd seen so far, that person was probably Julian.
And sure enough, I soon saw a photo of him on the desk.
I glanced at Emma. Did she really think I was an idiot?
Emma played dumb. "If you like it, you should rest here."
"Okay," I nodded.
I knew it was a trap, but I really couldn't be bothered to find another room.
I just needed a shower and a horizontal surface.
Emma barely hide her triumohant smirk as she scurried out.
I showered and collapsed on the bed.
When it got dark, I was woken up by a soft deliberate cough. It was Julian.
He stood by the bed in his tailored black suit, expression icy, waiting for an explanation.
Emma hovered beside him, whispering, "I tried to stop her, Jnlian. I told her your... thing, but she wouldn't listen."
"Comfortable?"
Julian finally asked after a long slince.
I ‘d expected anger, especially with Emma stirring the pot.
I rubbed my eyes and nodded seriously. "Yeah. The sandalwood helps me sleep."
"Then stay," he said, a flicker of surprise in his eyes.
Seems he didn't expect me to recognize a sleep aid.
Emma looked scandalized. "You never even let me in here before! Why does she get to sleep in your bed?"
"Hungry?"
Julian ignored her and smiled at me.
I nodded. "Don't wanna move."
"Okay, I'll bring it to you," he said, and left.
Emma wa fuming. "Why? She just got here, and you're already treating her so well? You're letting her eat in your bed? With your OCD? Why?"
I didn't grace that with a response, just pulled out my phone and started watching videos.
She stood there, fuming, but didn't leave. Probably hoping to witness the grand desecration.
Soon, Julian came back with a rolling cart fitted with a pull-out tray. I just had to sit up to eat.
I dragged myself upright, swished some water in my mouth, and started eating.
Julian settled at his desk to work on his laptop, not even glancing my way.
Emma walked over and picked up a glass of juice from the cart.
I knew her game. "Accidentally" spill it on the bed, blame the messy new girl.
I didn't know how Julian would react, but if she succeeded, I'd have to change rooms.
And I really, really didn't want to move.
So I pointed my phone at her, recording.
Emma froze, glass in hand. She forced a smile and handed it to me. "Thirsty, Skylar?"
"Nope,"
I looked over to Julian. He was watching us.
Our eyes met. His were sharp, perceptive.
"Emmadon't you have your SAT prep? Shouldn't you be studying?"
Julian's tone was dismissive.
Her face tightened. Knowing she was being dismissed, she slunk away.
After I finished, the housekeeper came to clean the cart.
I went back to my one-handed coding and video scrolling.
Three hours vanished. I was beat again.
I decided to take a quick shower and back to bed.
Julian finished his work and came over. He placed a small bottle of supplements on the nightstand. "For focus. And memory."
"Thanks, Julian,"
I eyed him suspiciously. How did he know my brain felt like mush?
But he'd already left the room.
I didn't pursue it. Showered, took the pills, and was out cold.
For the next few days, I was a ghost, barely leaving the room.
Emma tried to stir up trouble a few times, but never got the chance.
Julian worked in the room every day, but we existed in a comfortable silence.
Then, one morning, my cocoon of blankets was violently ripped away.
I squinted up to find my birth parents were back. My father stood there, holding my duvet.
"What is the meaning of this?" he boomed.
