Esther’s eyes turned misty with grievance. "But Iris is also your adopted sister. Why did you choose her?"
Wendel let out a deep sigh. "I’m afraid of what people would say about you. You still have to continue your studies—if rumors spread that you have feelings for your own brother, it would ruin your reputation.
"But Iris, she has no future beyond this village. It doesn’t matter to her." As he spoke, their bodies pressed even closer.
Lost in that moment, neither of them noticed the figure standing just a few steps behind them.
It wasn’t until Wendel finally let go of Esther that he saw her—Iris.
She stood there, silent and motionless, like a ghost.
Wendel's heart nearly stopped. Panicked, he instantly moved away from Esther, putting as much distance between them as possible.
"Iris! It’s not what you think!" he blurted out, his voice flustered. "Esther said she was cold, so I was just—just trying to keep her warm! Don’t misunderstand!"
Only then did Esther realize Iris had been watching.
She froze for a moment, but quickly recovered, putting on an innocent and pitiful expression.