Chapter 8
With a face like that she could totally slay Hollywood’s A–listers, couldn’t she? If she was not camera–ready, what about those celebs who lived off their good looks?
Emmitt suddenly felt that his sister, whom he was meeting for the first time… was a bit weird. What was up with that?
As he was internally rolling his eyes, Mirabella’s voice came through once more. “But you, you’re different too.” Mirabella said with a teasing edge, giving Emmitt a meaningful look.
Dressed to the nines in a designer suit, his every move exuded an aristocratic charm that clashed with the rumors of a lackadaisical‘ and ‘poor boy‘ upbringing.
A playful glint crossed Mirabella’s eyes. Interesting.
Emmitt was about to ask Mirabella what she meant by ‘different when something–or someone–caught his eye. His lips curved into an indulgent smile, and he waved through the air, “Summer.”
Mirabella tilted her head, following his gaze, and spotted a tall woman in a white sundress approaching at a swift pace. She was wearing sunglasses, making it impossible to discern her features at first glance.
“Sorry, I’m late, Emmitt. Traffic was a nightmare,” panted Summer, her voice still catching her breath.
“No worries,” Emmitt shook his head, noting the beads of sweat forming on her forehead. He pulled out a pack of tissues from his pocket and handed it to her.
Taking the tissues, Summer gracefully removed her sunglasses, hooking them onto her dress‘ neckline, and flashed a sweet smile at Emmitt. “Thanks, Emmitt.”
With a gentle pat on her head, Emmitt’s gesture was nothing but affectionate.
Mirabella watched their interaction with a slowly forming smirk. There was no need to ask outright–she already figured that Summer was the girl she was switched at birth with at the hospital.
Summer had since been taken in by the Gilbert family and adopted their surname. She wasn’t strikingly beautiful, but she did exude the refined, gentle demeanor that Mandy, her adoptive mother, had boasted about. The white dress added an graceful touch to her presence.
Feeling Mirabella’s unabashed scrutiny, Summer finally turned her attention to her as if just realizing she was there. Summer was visibly taken aback.
Mirabella was stunning, with sparkling eyes like the shimmer of a lake and a casually hooked smile that suggested a mix of mischief and cool detachment. She was the epitome of effortless charisma.
“Right, this is my sister, Mira.” Emmitt chimed in, nodding towards Mirabella.
Summer’s grip tightened on her purse at the words ‘my sister‘ from Emmitt’s lips, feeling as though something had been taken from her. The smile on her face lost its earlier ease.
Emmitt, oblivious to Summer’s expression, turned back to Mirabella. “This is…”
“I know,” Mirabella interrupted lazily, glancing at her watch. “Shall we grab some grub?”
With that, Emmitt didn’t bother introducing Summer further. Instead, he took Mirabella’s suitcase. “Look at me, all talk. Let’s head to the car. Mom and Dad were worried you might be hungry. They just called to check in.”
Mirabella hummed in acknowledgment, not bothering with pleasantries, and adjusted her backpack strap before following Emmitt out.
Summer watched them leave, one following the other, feeling ignored in a way she’d never experienced before. Mirabella’s return not only captured Emmitt’s attention but also managed to diminish Summer’s presence without a fuss. She had expected a country bumpkin, but clearly, Mirabella was anything but simple.
As Summer pondered, her moment of solitude was shattered by a chorus of excited squeals, and in the blink of an eye, she found herself encircled by a group of eager girls.
