My Reborn Admirer Wins Over My Heart (Oriana) novel Chapter 94

**TITLE: He Returned to Break and Own Me and for His Queen**
**Chapter 94: Family Skepticism**

“Leo mentioned that you were hurt,” Ethan’s voice was steady, but there was an undercurrent of concern that he couldn’t quite mask.

Lily, her eyes wide with urgency, quickly interjected, “Oh, it’s nothing serious! Just a little bump, really! And Mr. Harris even gave me a massage on the bruise. It should be completely gone by tomorrow!” Her voice was bright, almost too bright, as if she were trying to convince not just Ethan but herself as well.

Oriana, standing nearby, added quietly, “Actually, Mr. Harris suggested it needs at least three days of rest.” Her tone was apologetic, as if she feared she might be overstepping.

Lily shot her a frantic look, silently pleading for her to stop. The last thing she wanted was for Ethan to worry more than necessary.

Oriana, sensing the tension, lowered her gaze slightly towards Ethan. “I’m sorry. It was my fault that Lily got hurt.” There was a hint of guilt in her voice, one that made Ethan’s brow furrow in contemplation.

“No, it wasn’t! I went to help Oriana all on my own! Getting hurt has nothing to do with her!” Lily exclaimed, her voice rising in urgency, her fear palpable. She couldn’t bear the thought of her brother misunderstanding Oriana, who had become a rare friend.

Ethan’s gaze shifted to Lily’s arm, inspecting the injury with a critical eye. When he determined it wasn’t as serious as he initially feared, he finally released his grip on her arm, though his expression remained serious.

As he observed the woman who was now apologizing profusely before him, he narrowed his eyes, a sense of familiarity washing over him that he couldn’t quite place. There was something about Oriana that tugged at his memory, but he couldn’t put his finger on it.

Lily had always been the quiet type, a gentle soul who had navigated through life with a timid demeanor and a handful of friends—most of whom had only sought her out to exploit her kindness. As he reflected on his sister’s past, Ethan felt a protective instinct surge within him.

He thought about his own journey. Dropping out of school at a young age to support his family had left him with a jaded perspective on trust. Climbing to his current position in life had cultivated a deep-seated skepticism, one that made him wary of anyone who seemed to easily win Lily’s affection.

Take Oriana, for instance. She had somehow charmed her way into Lily’s heart, appearing at their home unexpectedly, and now, Lily was even inviting her into her personal space—her bedroom! It was infuriating to Ethan, who felt his sister was still a naive girl, oblivious to the dangers that lurked in the world.

A vein pulsed at his temple, a physical manifestation of his frustration. “Lily is fine. We don’t entertain guests who are outsiders. It’s getting late, Ms. Sterling. I think it’s best if you head back now.” His tone was firm, leaving no room for argument.

“Ethan!” Lily protested, her voice tinged with exasperation.

Oriana offered Lily a warm, reassuring smile, trying to ease the tension. “I should be going anyway. Make sure you rest well and recover. I’ll take care of the lesson plans for the next few days.” Her voice was soothing, a balm to Lily’s frayed nerves.

“Alright,” Lily replied reluctantly, walking Oriana to the door. “I promise I’ll invite you over again next time. My brother can be so annoying. He and Leo were classmates in elementary school, and they went through that earthquake together. I think he trusts whatever Leo says more than me. It must have been him who told you.”

Oriana nodded, unaware of the deeper connection between the three of them. “It’s fine. Just remember to be good and listen to your brother. Rest well, and I’ll see you another time.”

“Okay,” Lily said softly, watching Oriana leave, her heart feeling heavy as the door closed behind her.

Once alone, Ethan poured a glass of water for Lily, his expression softening just a fraction. “Do you really trust that friend of yours so much?” he asked, curiosity lacing his tone.

“Oriana is incredibly nice!” Lily replied, her eyes lighting up at the mention of her friend. She clenched her fists, a gesture of determination. “She’s different from… from those people I used to know!”

Ethan scoffed lightly, “Hmph. She looks the same to me.”

Lily shot him a glare, her frustration bubbling to the surface.

Grant looked a little distracted, his gaze drifting down to Luna’s pale face, which was now slightly flushed. Hesitantly, he reached out to touch her cheek, concern flickering in his eyes.

“Luna, are you alright?” he asked, his voice low and careful.

Luna quickly grasped his hand, a hint of nervousness creeping into her demeanor. “I’ve put on a lot of foundation, Grant. You can’t tell that anything’s wrong with my skin, right?”

“No, I can’t tell,” Grant replied, his voice soothing as he held her hand in his, trying to provide comfort.

“That’s good,” Luna sighed in relief, her shoulders relaxing slightly.

But as he watched her, he couldn’t shake the feeling of unease. Why was she trying so hard to conceal her condition? He chastised himself internally. What was he thinking? How could Luna possibly be suffering in silence like this?

Just then, Leo strolled in, having already dealt with James privately and changed into more casual attire. He approached Grant, extending his hand in greeting. “Let’s go. Ethan and the others are already waiting for us.”

“Okay. Grant, come on. I’ll introduce you to some boys I know in Jindiwood,” Luna added, her excitement bubbling over.

“Mm,” Grant nodded, still processing the whirlwind of emotions surrounding him.

Luna had mysteriously mentioned wanting to introduce him to some boys she knew in Jindiwood, and she had asked him to bring Alaric along. At first, Grant hadn’t paid much attention to it, but now, with Luna so eager, he couldn’t help but feel a sense of anticipation.

As they prepared to leave, the air was thick with unspoken words and hidden emotions, each character on the cusp of their own revelations, waiting for the moment when everything would change.