Colby went quiet for a bit. Sophie caught a glimpse of his eyes in the rearview mirror and said, "I''m not asking you, but I want to hear it from you, not through the grapevine."


    With that, Sophie shut her eyes, cutting off any further chat with Colby. He furrowed his brow, his eyshes giving a tiny, involuntary flutter at her words. He wanted to speak up. Every single moment, he wanted toy it all out. But he was scared... scared that Sophie might not ept him for who he really was.


    The night grew darker. Kiran, after patching up the wound on his shoulder, knocked on Sandy''s door. A grumpy voice came from inside: "I''m asleep!"


    "If you''re asleep, then I''lle by another day," he teased, pretending to walk away. In an instant, Sandy swung the door open, her face a mix of annoyance: "What do you want?"


    "Sophie and Colby have taken off."


    "I know!"


    "You do?"


    "Obviously! Who is Colby? No way could you just nab him like that."


    Kiran raised an eyebrow, "You think I''m not as capable as Colby?"


    "Yep!"


    "You really are... my dear sister."


    Sandy''s eyes immediately caught the wound on Kiran''s shoulder. With a hint of hesitation, she asked, "Brother, your shoulder..."


    "It''s a through-and-through, nothing too serious."


    Kiran gave Sandy''s forehead a gentle tap, saying, "Our Sandy''s got a heart now, caring about her brother. I''m touched."


    "Who said I care about you! You had iting! You hit Sophie before, and Colby isn''t one to let that slide. Who knows what he''ll do to youter!"


    "He''s got his own mess to handle, no time to deal with me."


    "What?"


    Sandy sensed something was amiss. Kiran didn''t want to drag her into it, so he changed the topic: "If Colby doese after me, let him. Only he''s got the guts for it." "Brother! Can''t you just..."


    "No."


    Kiran shut it down with a firm no. Right then, a maid was wheeling a cart down the hallway. Kiran motioned for her to leave and took、 the cart himself. "I know you don''t sleep well at night, so I had them warm up some fresh milk for you. Drink it and get some rest. Tomorrow, we''ll hit the shops and grab some things you like. You''ll be staying here for a bit, and we can''t have our little princess feeling left out."


    "I''ve got more than enough stuff! I don''t want to go shopping."


    inox


    Sandy''s mind was consumed with finding a way to mend the rift between Kiran and Sophie, leaving no room for retail therapy. Hearing her protest, Kiran raised an eyebrow, "Our little princess isn''t into shopping anymore? You used to love blowing cash on thetest bags, shoes, jewelry, and plush toys... Lost interest?"


    "Totally! Spending money is the dullest thing ever!"Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org.


    The trip to Devonport had opened Sandy''s eyes. She''d stepped out of her sheltered bubble and faced real dangers. Now, she realized just how naive she had been. Before, Sandy thought the world outside was call sunshine and rainbows, but after facing so many perils with Sophie and the others, she understood how shielded she had been by her family.