Theodore moved with a swift grace towards the sofa, his hands falling casually upon its fabric. His gaze turned towards Vanessa, his voice a calm ripple in the quiet room. “Does your head still pain you?” he inquired.A sparkle ignited in Vanessa’s eyes, her lips curving into an immediate smile. “The headache has subsided,” she responded, “But my stomach feels a bit unsettled.””Madison,” Theodore directed his attention towards his sister, “Would you ask Lucy to prepare a bowl of hangover soup for Vanessa?”Madison’s eyes darted between the two, a realization dawning upon her. Her older brother desired a private conversation with Vanessa. She knew better than to interfere. “Of course, I’ll go immediately,” she assured, rising from her seat and making a hasty exit.Theodore’s gaze returned to Vanessa, his expression tender yet his tone distant. “In the future, try to limit your drinking. I may not be able to help you next time,” he advised.Vanessa’s expression froze, her burgeoning affection for Theodore, nurtured by his effort to send Madison away, plummeted into a chilling abyss. A cold sensation crept from her feet to her head, her hands balling into fists on her lap. Her voice wavered as she asked, “Theodore, have I become a burden to you?”Theodore met her gaze but offered no response. His silence was deafening, and Vanessa’s heart plunged further into the abyss. His silence echoed their past, a friendship that once was.It was early autumn, and the distant hum of cicadas in the courtyard signaled the end of summer. Their calls were growing fainter, and the living room fell into a silence that was almost palpable. Meanwhile, Phoebe descended the stairs, finding no one in the living room. A glance at her wristwatch revealed it was only seven o’clock. She wondered, ‘Where has everyone disappeared to?’With a sense of curiosity, she ventured into the kitchen. Lucy was engrossed in preparing breakfast. Upon noticing Phoebe, she greeted her with a warm smile. “Phoebe, are you hungry?”Phoebe patted her slightly empty stomach and returned the smile. “Actually, I am a little hungry.” “The pizza is ready; let me serve you a slice,” Lucy offered, drying her hands and opening the oven door. The aroma of the freshly baked pizza filled the air, making Phoebe’s mouth water. “It smells divine,” she exclaimed. Lucy carefully retrieved two slices of pizza and placed them on a plate for Phoebe. She took a bite, the soft dough and generous fruit filling exploding with flavor in her mouth. She swallowed, the heat causing her nose to sweat slightly. “This is delicious, truly delicious!” she exclaimed.Lucy chuckled at Phoebe’s enthusiasm. “Slow down, Phoebe. The pizza is fresh from the oven and still hot. No one is going to snatch it away from you.”Phoebe shot Lucy a sheepish glance. “Your pizzas are irresistible. I can’t help but devour them.”Lucy laughed, shooing Phoebe out of the kitchen. “With such a sweet tongue, you’ve earned yourself a treat. I’ll prepare a few more dishes for you later.”As Phoebe savored her meal, something brushed against her back. She turned to find Theodore standing outside the window, a pink cotton flower in his hand, poised to toss it at her. Another cotton flower lay at her feet, evidence of a previous throw.”Are you playing a game?” Phoebe asked, bemused.Theodore leaned against the window frame, beckoning her with a wave. “Come here,” he invited. With her plate in hand, Phoebe approached the window. The morning sun had just risen, its fragmented rays casting a soft glow through the window. She stepped into the light. Theodore tucked the cotton flower behind her ear, his fingers brushing lightly against her skin. A shiver ran down Phoebe’s spine, causing her to instinctively tilt her head away.”What are you doing?” she asked, her voice a whisper.The sunlight painted her ear a deep shade of red, tinged with pink. Theodore found himself captivated. ‘She is quite charming,’ he thought.

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