?


    "I couldn''t sleep, so I thought I''d stay up a bit longer," Phoebe replied.


    "Mm. What did you want to talk to me about?" Vrie asked.


    Phoebe handed her a bank card, sighing. "You know how things are with your father''s business. We don''t know how much longer it''ll hold out.


    "Your dad and I have been saving this money for you since you were born. Originally, it was meant for your wedding, but we''ve decided it''s better to give it to you now."


    Vrie''s smile faded as she looked at the card, hesitant to take it. "Mom, I can''t take this."


    "Take it," Phoebe urged. "Think of it as your wedding gift from us. There might not be anything left for youter."


    Vrie shook her head. "I really don''t need it, Mom. You should give it to Dad to help with the business instead "


    Phoebe interrupted, "This isn''t enough to save thepany. And it''s been saved under your name since you were born. Your dad and I have been adding to the ount every year. Even if we go bankrupt, no one can touch it."


    With a pause, Phoebe added, "We can see you''re much happier now with Brandon than you were before. He seems like someone you can rely on. But no matter what happens, we want you to have options, Vrie. This money is your safety."


    "Mom..." Vrie said softly.


    Phoebe pressed the card into her hand and stood up. "It''ste. Let''s get some rest."


    Vrie pressed her lips together and nodded. "Goodnight, Mom."


    She went to her room with the card in hand, feeling a mix of emotions. She ced it on her vanity and let out a long sigh.


    She decided to keep the card for now. If her father''spany survived the crisis, she''d use the money to repay N.


    After locking the card in her safe, she grabbed her clothes and headed to the bathroom for a shower. As she stepped out, her phone rang-it was Brandon.


    "Vrie, I''m home," he said, his voice deep and warm, like a soothing melody.


    "Good. Get some rest. I''ll see you tomorrow," Vrie replied.


    "That''s all?" Brandon sounded disappointed. "Nothing else you want to say?"


    Vrie raised an eyebrow. "What else?"


    "Like telling me you miss me. I''ve been thinking of you since the moment we said goodbye," Brandon confessed.


    "Oh..." Vrie replied, putting the phone on speaker while she applied her skincare.


    "You really don''t miss me at all?" Brandon asked.


    Barely able to contain a smile at how


    wronged he sounded, Vrie''s face


    mask early slipped off as she adjusted it. She hummed. "Maybe... just a little."


    "How little?" Brandon pressed.


    Vrie teased, "Maybe just enough to fit on the tip of a fingernail."


    "Alright, I''ll take that." Brandon sighed. "I''ll look forward to earning more day by day."


    Vrie adjusted her mask again, murmuring yfully, "That depends on how you do."


    They chatted for a bit longer before saying goodnight.


    ...


    The next morning, Vrie woke to a


    call a


    noise downstairs. She was about to maid to find out what was going on when there was a knock at her door.


    "Ms. Weir, your parents are asking you to


    guest here to see you," a servant informed her.


    come downstairs. There''s et


    A bit puzzled, Vrie wondered why they''d need her for a guest.