Seduced by My Childhood Sweetheart’s Brother

"Poor Jasmine. But if she's getting married soon, why is she pining over Colin? What if her future husband finds out and slaps her? If she ruins the arranged marriage, Miranda will give her hell too." "Who knows? Maybe she wants to chase after her dream one last time before she gets married. Colin is handsome. I'm into him too, let alone a woman like Jasmine."

"Colin, I feel bad for Jasmine."

Colin scoffed. He pinched my cheek and said disapprovingly, "What did I tell you about being too nice to others? Your eyes and ears might fool you sometimes. Just think of what you heard as a story. That's all."

"No way. She didn't place those people here just to fabricate this story in front of us." I highly doubted it. Jasmine held the party to seduce Colin. She didn't have to set up another trivial stage to make her look extra piteous. It was pointless.

"Oh, I see you've become smarter. Good girl." Seeing that no one was looking, Colin leaned in and kissed my lips.

I smacked his shoulder, abashed, but he was fast enough to seize my hand. "We're powerless to change her situation. Perhaps she could've escaped her fate of being married off if she had given up her dream of joining the Taylor family and become an ordinary person.

"Ultimately, it was greed that twisted her character."

"But you're her dream."

"We all have different dreams, depending on our current stage in life. But most people can't realize their dreams because they're unrealistic. And the more unrealistic their dreams are, the greater the disappointment.

"That's why I always say that we should remain grounded instead of living in the pipe dream. Like you. You're talented and smart. You work toward the life you want. That's great."

As expected of Colin, everything he said was so soothing and comforting. His words were like lighthouses that guided me in the vast ocean.

Suddenly, something returned to my mind. "Colin, that guy just confessed that he had a crush on you. Are you one of those people that both men and women fall for?"

Colin flicked my head playfully and warned that he would punish me if I continued to run my mouth. By punishing, he didn't mean spanking. He meant... Never mind. I should behave and avoid ruffling his feathers.

When we returned home in the evening, there was something in the air. Andrew, wearing an apron, was working in the kitchen. From time to time, he would turn and look at Queenie, who was sitting on the couch. Affection and care oozed from his eyes.

Colin and I exchanged looks. Not wanting to be caught in this odd atmosphere, we greeted them hastily and hid in our room. Colin went to shower while I lay on the bed, scrolling on my phone. Out of the blue, Mom called.

I switched on my camera and turned it into a video call. Mom's gentle face and one-half of Dad's shoulder popped into my view.

"Lulu, are you busy painting now?" Mom was wearing a long-sleeved sleeping gown. Her eyes scanned my face, searching for something.

Like all mothers in the world, she couldn't get enough of her child. She was constantly worried about her child, hoping that she could protect her baby girl every day.

Mom's question made me guilty. I had been distracted by Jasmine. It was time for me to focus on my project. Dreamlight was very important. I couldn't do a sloppy job and ruin my reputation.