Chapter 36

• After a while, Dad left the hallway, leaving me alone with Simmy. When I glanced at her, she was staring at me with a small smile on her lips. "I didn't want to speak up for you and that boy, but I see Japen is a good kid. So I hope you won't betray the trust I and your father have given you, Azora."
• I was dumbfounded by her words. She sounded like my mother. But then, I sighed. "You don't need to do that. I can handle Dad on my own."
• Her expression softened. "I don't like seeing you in distress," she sighed. "Azora, even though you're often rude to me, I don't want to see you unhappy. I see you're happy when you're with that boy."