Sheâd just returned from the hospital to the solitude of her office when this annoying kid showed up again.
Sheâd never met a man this clingy before.
âWhat are you doing here? Shouldnât you be at the hospital with your father?â
Byran shrugged. âDadâs doing better. You wouldnât believe how well he was doing. Since my sister visited him this morning, heâs been like a different person. Heâs not only taking his medicine, but heâs also eating on his own, saying he wants to get out of the hospital and make it up to his daughter. So, naturally, Iâve got nothing to worry about.â
Ida frowned after hearing Byran mention his sister. She knew he was referring to Ellinor.
But she wondered if he still remembered his other sister, the one who wasnât as pleasant.
âWhat are you staring at me for, Ida? Are you unhappy to see me?â Byran pouted.
Ida gave him a disdainful look. âWell, youâre just in time. Iâve got something to ask you.â
Byranâs eyes sparkled. âWhat is it, Ida? Whatever you ask, Iâll tell you everything.â
Ida was serious. She was not in the mood for his jokes. âI want to know when your sister was released.
Do you know anything about it?â
Byran was puzzled. âMy sister? Released from where? Didnât you see my sister this morning at the hospital? Whatâs this all about?â
Ida scowled. âIâm not asking about Ellinor. Iâm asking about your real sister, Patricia. Sheâs out. Did you know that?â
Byran looked surprised. âWhat? Patricia is out? When did this happen?â
âIâm asking you, and youâre asking me back?â
Byran was confused. âWell, I donât know; thatâs why Iâm asking you! I havenât heard anything about this, Ida. How did you find out Patricia was released?â
Ida didnât doubt Byran. âSomeone saw her on the avenue.â
Byran furrowed his brows. âThatâs strange. If Patricia was released, why wouldnât she come home? My mother isnât at our house in Greenhaven either; sheâs at Howard Mountain Villa for recuperation.
Patricia didnât go home or go to see our mom, so what is she doing alone out there? Where is she staying?â
Ida massaged her forehead. âI shouldnât have asked you. I ask you one question, and you ask me a thousand. How am I supposed to know more about your familyâs affairs than you do?â
Byran was unperturbed. âOur familyâs affairs will soon be your affairs too, Ida. Donât you remember?
Weâre getting married soon.â
Ida had had enough of his irrelevant chatter. She turned her back on him, pondering about Patricia.
Byran scooted closer. âIdá, are you worried that Patricia is going to hurt Ellinor again?â
Ida raised an eyebrow. âWhat do you think? Your sister has already done plenty of harm to Ellinor.â
Byran looked worried. âI know Patricia was wrong and has some serious issues, but I think she wouldnât repeat her mistakes after all these years of rehabilitation.â
Ida laughed. âReally? Youâre looking at your sister through rose-colored glasses. Ever heard of the saying, âA leopard never changes its spotsâ?â
Byran didnât like hearing his sister be spoken about this way, but considering what Patricia had done, he had no rebuttal.
âFine, Ida! I know what youâre worried about. Iâll go home and ask if anyone knows about Patriciaâs release. If they do, Iâll let you know immediately. Weâll also make sure she stays at home under our watchful eyes. That should suffice, right?â