Before they knew it, Jojo had entered elementary school. Isaiah, with the highest scores in his class, had gained admission to Nexuria's finest school, becoming the youngest student in his grade. As for Isabella, she continued her kindergarten studies, patiently waiting for her turn to enter elementary school. Time flew by, and it was not long before it was Isabella's time to enter elementary school. Before she made her school of choice, Jojo had tried several times to persuade her to attend the same school as him. However, Isabella unhesitatingly declined and chose to attend the same school as Isaiah. Isaiah partly influenced this decision. One summer day, while Isaiah was busy with his packed schedule of classes and after-school activities, Isabella could not hide her disappointment. She exclaimed, "Isaiah!"Isaiah, immersed in his studies, answered without looking up, "What is it?""Can you please not be so absorbed in your studies? Didn't we agree to spend the summer togeth
"Thank you, Mommy!" Isabella beamed with joy.Isabella set her sights on studying hard and following Isaiah's path, but at twelve, she gave up on this goal. At first, Isabella aspired to excel academically, skip a grade, and enter an advanced class. However, when they turned twelve, Isaiah, with his exceptional abilities, got into Nexuria University's junior program, becoming the youngest student at the university. From then on, Isaiah did not have to worry about taking the middle school or high school entrance exams. In those years, in any competition Isaiah participated in, he came out on top, becoming a prodigy in the competitive arena and someone many experts wanted as their disciple.After that, Isabella changed her objective: to stay within the top three of her grade. From then on, the siblings embarked on different academic paths. At twenty-three, Isabella completed her bachelor's and master's degrees, even though she had aspired to finish by the age of twenty-one. Due t
Jojo pursed his lips into a straight line, his chest feeling heavy. Even though the girl he liked was right in front of him, he could not find the words to tell her."What's wrong?" Isabella asked."She does have feelings for me, but the chances are she won't agree to my confession. I think I'll just forget about it," Jojo replied, burying all his emotions deep within. Isabella encouraged him, "How will you know if you don't give it a try?""She has someone she likes," Jojo blurted out. When he was eighteen, Jojo wanted to confess to Isabella, to tell her about his feelings that had grown from childhood concern to adolescent affection. However, he overheard her conversation with Isaiah. While Jojo could not recall the specifics, he distinctly remembered her response when Isaiah asked what she would do if he confessed his feelings. She would reject him and cease all contact. Isabella considered him as nothing more than the neighbor boy she had grown up with, a sibling.Since t
Isabella did not press further, assuming that Jojo had his reasons for not sharing. After all, they were adults now, each entitled to their own secrets.Jojo remained unaware of her thoughts. After dropping her off at her place, he returned home. Ash had been waiting in the living room, and as soon as Jojo walked in with a heavy heart, Ash confronted him."Why haven't you told Isabella that you like her?" Ash asked directly.Over the years, Jojo had consistently given Isabella gifts on every holiday without fail, and they had a great relationship. Why had he not confessed yet?"She likes someone else," Jojo stated bluntly."Having a crush on someone doesn't mean they're already taken. Do you want to be her brother figure forever?""That's not a bad thing," Jojo replied. He had given up on confessing, and his tone grew more solemn. "It's better than losing her completely."Ash was puzzled. He wanted to say more, but Jojo had already headed upstairs. However, just before enterin
Isaiah shot her a meaningful look.Isabella met his gaze, slightly puzzled. "What's with that look?""If I remember correctly, when you were four, you wanted to bring Jojo home too. I think I still have the video of you saying that on my computer."Isabella stayed silent.Isaiah continued, "Wanting to bring someone home doesn't necessarily mean you like them. It could just be you treating them with the same affection as you do for your toys and pets."Isabella corrected him, "I'm twenty-three now, not three."While a three-year-old might not understand, the current her was quite clear on the matter."Can't you like someone else? Jojo is great, successful in his career, handsome, and treats you well." Isaiah's heart was still a bit biased, and he unintentionally played matchmaker. "Are you trying to suggest something improper?" Isabella blurted out.Isaiah looked puzzled. After all, Jojo was not blood-related. Why would she think of something like that?"Jojo holds a similar
"Got it."In fact, she did not worry about these matters. From the information she had gathered about Luther through her conversations with Joshua over the years, Luther was the typical workaholic, cold, distant, and disinterested in romantic relationships, just like he was when they first met."When are you going to visit?" Isaiah inquired."Next Tuesday, I think. Daddy Joshua mentioned that Luther is currently swamped with a major project and won't be available until then," Isabella calculated.Isaiah decided to test the waters. "What if Mom and Dad want to arrange a marriage for you?"Isabella was confused. "What?""If Mom and Dad don't allow you to be with Luther and instead want you to marry Jojo or Ash, would you agree?" Isaiah continued to watch her closely, not missing any changes in her expression. "Are you feeling okay? They've always told us that we make our own choices in life. They don't interfere in our marriages or jobs." Isabella reached out to touch his forehea
After all, she had such powerful parents."Tears are precious; don't shed them for someone undeserving," Isabella said as she handed Ariana a tissue. Her confident demeanor provided reassurance. "Take your time and tell me everything. I'll stand up for you."Nick chimed in, puzzled, "Aren't we on the same team?"Isabella glared at him and replied, "Who said we're on the same team?"Ariana wiped her tears and asked, "Will you really stand up for me?""As long as it's his fault, I'll take your side," Isabella clarified."Last night, he told me he was going to a friend's graduation party and even sent me pictures and videos in the middle of it. Here, see for yourself," Ariana slowly explained and showed Isabella her phone.Isabella opened the video and confirmed its authenticity, saying, "This is indeed real."Ariana hesitated, her eyelashes still wet with tears. "It was my graduation party. I'm Isabella Quier. We left the gathering together last night." Isabella clarified her i
"Different people can wear the same outfit. I can't wear the same set of clothes just once, right?" Nick attempted to brush it off, trying to act cool.Isabella was not fooled. "Your clothes and necklace are all new arrivals from last month. Have you and Ariana only dated for a month?" she pointed out, direct and blunt.She had heard him bragging in their group chat a long time ago about no longer being single and even made fun of Jojo for still being single. Ariana chimed in, "Six months.""The clothes were not even available in the market six months ago," Isabella continued, "Care to explain?""I messed up," Nick admitted, instantly defeated."Talking to me won't help. Explain to Ariana." Isabella moved away to give them some space.Nick sighed silently in his heart. He could not help but wonder how that chubby and cute little girl became such an overpowering adult."I lied to you about this, and I'm sorry. I couldn't stand how you doubted everything I did, suspecting me all