âThatâs different. Iâm concerned about your well-being, alright?â Abel sighed softly. âYou donât know how afraid I am for your safety. Iâd rather risk my life!â
âHow about I start writing dream journals and send them to you every day?â Emmeline teased him.
âThat works too,â Abel chuckled.
âForget it!â She changed the subject. âHow are you feeling? Is your rib still hurting?â
He laughed. âItâs not as painful anymore. I think itâs healing. Donât worry. Your big brother is as tough as a bull.â
âYouâre something else, but you still need to take it easy Emmeline said, feeling relieved.
âYeah, I will. And you, be good and donât run around.â
âBut, Abel.â Emmeline hesitated. âMomâs mental state isnât great, and Iâm worried.â
âDepression can be tough,â Abel comforted her. âIâll inquire about esoteric medicine. We can try giving Mom herbal remedies.â
âOkay, when are you coming home?â
âWhenever, I guess.â
âAlright!â
After hanging up the phone, Emmeline couldnât help but feel grateful. Having an older brother, even if not biologically related, was so much better than having a sister.
Emmelineâs older sister, Hannah, worked as an accountant at a chemical company in Ravenshell. She didnât spend much time at home, so she was only aware of their motherâs condition but hadnât truly experienced it, let alone shared the concerns with Emmeline.
Speak of the devil. Hannah was home when Emmeline came home from work.
âWatch out, or youâll gain weight!â Emmeline teased her.
Emmeline knew that her sister had quite the appetite. Sweet, sour, bitter, spicy, or salty, she could handle it all. Emmeline once witnessed her sister devouring food at lightning speed, making them disappear in a matter of seconds. It was truly astonishing, and Emmeline was left dumbfounded.
Hannah was slightly shorter than her younger sister, with fair, plump, and radiant skin. Her jet-black hair was cut in a stylish bob.
This time, Hannah brought her boyfriend along. At twenty-three years old, it was her first time introducing a boyfriend to the family.
The young man was spirited, friendly-faced, of average height, and a good match for Hannah. His name was Henrick Grunt.
âEmma, what do you think of Henrick?â Hannah asked her sister while they were picking vegetables in the kitchen.
âHeâs one of those naturally cheerful, kind-hearted types. He seems like a good man,â Emaneline replied. with a smile.
âMom said he seemed decent,â Hannah said, her face filled with joy.
âIâve been there. I believe Iâm good at reading people. Kimberlyâs voice came from behind.
âMom, youâre only fifty. Donât act like an old lady,â Hannah said. âThere are ladies in their fifties at our workplace who are dating and still full of vitality!â
âI canât engage in such frivolous matters!â
âThose ladiesâ husbands passed away, and their children are grown up. Theyâre just enjoying life by dating. older boyfriends. Isnât that living life to the fullest?â
Their mom then grabbed a celery stalk and playfully swatted Hannah on the buttocks. Emmeline burst into laughter.
âThatâs more like it!â Hannah still didnât give in. âSince I arrived, youâve been wearing a serious face. I thought you were unhappy to see me.â
âIâm thinking I donât have to worry about you now, but when will Emma put me at ease?â
âEmmeline has someone special.â Hannah glanced at Emmeline and teased, âMom, you donât need to worry about her.â
Emmeline quickly pinched her sister. âYou better mind your own business!â
Hannah stuck out her tongue and quickly closed her mouth.
After dinner, Hannah and Emmeline went for a walk. On their way back, Hannah asked, âHowâs Abel doing?â
âHeâs doing okay,â Emmeline replied, kicking a small pebble on the path.
âMom is actually worried about you. A mother knows her daughter best,â Hannah said.
âSo, please donât say anything you shouldnât.â
âAbel is a really good person, very manly. I used to admire him when I was younger, butâ¦â
Emmelineâs-heart sank; she knew what her sister was going to say.
âBut his identity as our older brother canât change that fact.â
âHannah, I wonât like anyone else,â Emmeline said, feeling gloomy. âIâve liked him since I was a child, and you know that.â
âWhile we may not share blood with Abel, the fact remains that heâs our older brother. In terms of family and lineage, it wonât work.â
âI think,â Hannah concluded, âthat you and Abel can love each other, but you canât get marriedâ