Minnie had never understood why people stared at her whenever she walked through the doors of Thurston Manor. She had lived there for as long as she could remember. She knew which staircase creaked when someone stepped on the third stair, which window in the east wing refused to close properly during the rainy season, and which kitchen drawer Mrs. Collins kept the chocolate biscuits in despite repeatedly claiming they were only for guests. This was home. At least, that was what Minnie had always believed.

Yet there were moments, particularly when strangers visited the manor, when she caught them looking at her with a curiosity she couldn't explain. Their eyes would linger on her face before moving toward the Thurston family members around her, as though they were trying to solve a puzzle. Minnie never knew what the puzzle was. She had stopped wondering about it years ago.

At twenty-two, she had more immediate things to worry about, such as the fact that she was already ten minutes late for dinner. She hurried down the enormous staircase, gathering the skirt of her pale blue dress in one hand so she wouldn't trip. Her heels clicked against the polished marble, echoing through the grand entrance hall.

"Minnie!"

She stopped halfway down. Her mother stood at the bottom of the staircase, watching her with an expression that was half amusement and half disapproval.

"You're late."

"I know." Minnie gave her an apologetic smile. "I'm sorry."

"You said that twenty minutes ago."

"I was trying to fix my hair."

Her mother looked at her carefully before shaking her head. "You look beautiful."

Minnie smiled. "Thank you."

Her mother reached up and gently straightened one of the curls resting against Minnie's cheek. For a moment, she simply looked at her. There was something strange in her expression. Minnie noticed.

"Mom?"

"Yes?"

"Why are you looking at me like that?"

Her mother blinked and smiled quickly. "Like what?"

"Like you want to say something."

"I don't."

"You do."

"You've become too observant."

Minnie laughed softly. Her mother touched her cheek once more before stepping aside.

"Come. Everyone is waiting."

Minnie followed her toward the dining room, unaware that a pair of dark eyes had been watching her from the balcony above.

Jeffrey S. Thurston had been watching her for almost a minute. He had no reason to. At least, that was what he told himself. He stood with one hand resting against the balcony railing, dressed in a black suit that fit him perfectly. At twenty-eight, Jeffrey had already inherited enough of the Thurston empire to make business magazines call him one of the most powerful young billionaires in the country. He had the reputation to match. Cold. Controlled. Difficult to impress. People who worked for him were careful with their words. Business partners rarely challenged him twice. Even members of his own family thought twice before crossing him.

But Minnie had never been afraid of him. She had never learned to be.

Jeffrey watched as she walked into the dining room beside the woman who had raised her. He noticed the way Minnie smiled at one of the servants. The way she tucked her hair behind her ear. The way she glanced around the room before automatically looking toward the empty chair beside him. His chair. Something tightened in his chest.

"Are you planning to stand there all night?"

Jeffrey turned. Howard was leaning against the opposite wall, wearing the lazy smile that had irritated Jeffrey since childhood.

"I'm going downstairs."

"Of course you are."

Jeffrey gave him a warning look.

Howard grinned. "Don't look at me like that. I haven't said anything."

"You were about to."

"I was."

Jeffrey walked past him. Howard followed.

"You know," Howard said casually, "one day you're going to realize that you don't have to follow Minnie around every second."

Jeffrey stopped. Howard nearly walked into him.

"What?"

"Nothing."

"Then keep walking."

Howard laughed. "You're very defensive tonight."

Jeffrey ignored him. By the time they entered the dining room, Minnie was already seated. The moment she saw Jeffrey, her face brightened.

"You're here."

"I live here."

"I know. I just thought you might still be upstairs."

"You were looking for me?"

Minnie nodded. "I wanted to ask you something."

Jeffrey pulled out the chair beside her and sat. "What?"

She leaned closer. "Does this dress make me look childish?"

Jeffrey looked at her. The question should have been simple. It wasn't. His gaze lingered on her for a moment before he answered.

"No."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes."

"Because Elise said"

"Don't listen to Elise."

Minnie looked at him. "Why?"

"Because she likes getting a reaction from you."

Across the table, Elise raised an eyebrow. "I can hear you."

Jeffrey didn't bother looking at her. "Good."

Minnie covered her mouth to hide a laugh. Elise's expression darkened. Howard noticed. So did Jeffrey.

But before anyone could say anything else, Richard Thurston entered the room. The conversation died immediately. Richard did not demand silence. He didn't have to. At sixty-one, he carried the kind of authority that came from decades of building the Thurston empire from the ground up. His name was attached to hotels, banks, technology companies, real estate developments, and investments scattered across several countries.

He took his seat at the head of the table. Everyone followed. Dinner began.

For the first few minutes, the conversation remained ordinary. Business. Travel. An upcoming charity event. A new hotel project. Minnie listened quietly, occasionally answering when someone spoke directly to her. She had never been comfortable discussing business with the Thurstons. They spoke about millions as casually as other families spoke about groceries. She preferred her own little world. Books. Design. Her friendship with Viola. The small business idea she had been too nervous to tell anyone about.

Jeffrey knew all of it. He always knew.

"So," Richard said eventually, looking at Minnie, "what have you decided to do after graduation?"

Minnie straightened. "I haven't decided yet."

"You graduated months ago."

"I know."

"You should have a plan."

Minnie lowered her eyes. "I'll figure something out."

Elise smiled faintly. "Perhaps she could work at one of the family companies."

Minnie looked up. "That would be nice."

"Of course it would," Elise replied. "Everything is easier when someone else opens the door for you."

The room became quiet. Minnie stared at her. Jeffrey put down his fork.

"Elise."

"What?"

"Enough."

"I wasn't insulting her."

"You were."

Elise glanced toward Richard. "I was only saying that she has opportunities most people don't."

Minnie felt her face warm. Before she could respond, Jeffrey spoke.

"She doesn't need to justify having opportunities."

Elise's eyes narrowed. "You always defend her."

Jeffrey's expression hardened. "She doesn't need defending from you."

Minnie touched his arm beneath the table. "It's okay."

Jeffrey looked at her hand. For a moment, something softened in his eyes. Then he looked away. Minnie withdrew her hand. She couldn't explain why the small moment suddenly felt awkward. She had touched Jeffrey hundreds of times. She had hugged him when she was frightened, fallen asleep against his shoulder when she was younger, held his hand when they crossed busy streets. He was her brother. Her protector. Her family. There had never been anything strange about it.

So why had her heart suddenly beaten faster? She dismissed the thought. It was nothing.

After dinner, everyone scattered around the house. Minnie slipped into the library, intending to find a book before going upstairs. She had barely reached the shelves when she heard footsteps behind her.

"You're avoiding me."

She turned. Jeffrey stood in the doorway.

"No, I'm not."

"You left dinner without saying goodnight."

"I thought you were busy."

"With what?"

"Being Jeffrey."

He raised an eyebrow.

Minnie smiled. "You know. Serious. Important. Terrifying."

"I don't terrify you."

"No." She walked toward him. "You're actually very nice."

"To you."

She stopped. "What does that mean?"

Jeffrey stared at her. For one dangerous second, he almost said the truth. Instead, he smiled faintly. "It means you're spoiled."

Minnie gasped. "I am not spoiled."

"You are."

"I'm not."

"You once made me drive across the city at midnight because you wanted strawberry cake."

"You went willingly."

"Because you wouldn't stop calling me."

"You could have ignored me."

"I could have."

"But you didn't."

"No."

Minnie smiled. Jeffrey looked at her for longer than he intended. She was still smiling when she noticed his expression.

"What?"

"Nothing."

"You're staring."

"I was thinking."

"About?"

He looked away. "Nothing important."

Minnie stepped closer. "You're strange tonight."

"So are you."

She laughed. For a moment, the library felt warmer. Then a voice came from the hallway.

"Jeffrey."

Richard.

Jeffrey's expression changed immediately. "Coming."

Richard walked away. Jeffrey looked back at Minnie.

"Go upstairs."

"Why?"

"Because it's late."

"You're not my father."

"No." His voice softened. "But I'm still telling you to go."

Minnie rolled her eyes. "Goodnight, brother."

The word hit Jeffrey harder than it should have. He watched her walk away. She reached the doorway, then turned.

"Jeffrey?"

He looked at her.

"Thank you."

"For what?"

"For always looking out for me."

Her smile was soft. Completely trusting. "You always have."

Then she disappeared up the stairs.

Jeffrey remained in the library. His expression slowly changed. The warmth disappeared from his face. He closed his eyes. For years, he had listened to Minnie call him brother. For years, he had told himself that was all he was supposed to be. But there was one truth Minnie didn't know. One truth that could change the way she looked at him forever.

Jeffrey knew they were not related by blood. He had known for years. And that was precisely why loving her had become the one thing he could never allow himself to confess.