“I am aware, ‘Sage replied, showing no signs of surprise.
In shock, Leah’s eyes widened. “You knew about it?”
Sage scoffed, “Her petty tricks are written all over her face.”
Taken aback, Leah stared at Sage who looked calm and composed. As if she suddenly realized
something, Leah asked, “So you already guessed that I’d come to find you, right?”
“You’re way smarter than her. Of course, you’d know right away who’s the boss around here.”
Sage added, “Although I look frail, you can count on me.”
Leah could not help but laugh. “I am forsaking the Darkside for the light.” “Mm, sounds about right.”
Sage pinched Leah’s cheek softly and smiled ruefully. “You used to be so chubby back then, but look at
you now, all skin and bones.
“Don’t you know that thin is the new black these days? My friends are jealous of my small face.”
Sage shook her head. “It doesn’t matter whether you’re thin or chubby, as long as you’re healthy.
Starting from tomorrow, we’ll make sure you eat well.”
With tears welling up in her eyes, Leah started choking up, “I was the chubbiest when I spent my days
with you back then. Those were also the happiest moments in my life.”
“Although we’re all grown up now, I am still your cousin. Teaching and taking care of you girls will
always be my responsibility.”
Leah’s tears fell onto Sage’s fingers. Just like when they were younger, Sage stroked Leah’s head and
said, “Now that I’ve returned, you don’t have to be worried about anything. I will not let anyone bully
you.”
“Sage!”
Leah ran into Sage’s arms and started sobbing like a child.
Outside Rosa Garden, a black car pulled over on the street across Sage’s house. Two days later, Jace
found himself in the same spot he had been before.
The night was deadly silent. Along with the rose-scented smell lingering in the air, Jace was slowly
coming back to his senses.
Ever since he and Sage had separated, his life had changed drastically in just half a month.
When he had left Nadeem City, the roses in the garden had started to bloom. However, the person who
planted the roses was long gone.
For some reason, Jace found peace whenever she was around.
It was as if he was tied to her by a thread, and he found himself constantly coming back to her.
He knew that he was losing his mind.
Or perhaps, he was starting to fall for her.
The phone in his hand was running out of battery. Every time the call was about to be connected, Jace
would end the call immediately
On the drive to Salem City, he had thousands of questions that he wanted to ask. However, now that
he was here and in possession o f her contact number, he suddenly did not know what to say to her
anymore.
He wanted to ask her whether what Yoel had told him was true, or whether Finn Janssen was telling
the truth. Most of all, he wanted to know if she still loved him.
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