Burning Passion

CHAPTER 294: THE ONLY WOMAN WHO OWNS MY HEART

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Stepping inside the bedroom, Steven throws a glare at Harry. His twin brother is leaning on the headboard of his bed, reading a book. He guesses Harry is waiting for him. 

Steven sat on his armed chair, facing Harry's bed. He glances at the wall where he hung a bunch of photos of him and Nina. 

After what happened tonight. He had a better idea that he and Harry could avoid seeing each other or being in the same room when the tension between them is extreme. 

They need separate rooms. He wants to move to a master's bedroom. It was also his preparation when he and Nina got married soon. It will be their bedroom as a wedded couple. 

He already talked to their mother about it, and he could not wait. Although she didn't agree, his decision is final. 

Mely didn't agree because the twin's relationship will cause more damage if they choose to avoid each other. For Mely, her sons better to stay in one room so that their relationship will fix in due time. 

But for Steven, it is difficult to bring back everything in place. It's already broken because Harry is his rival in Nina's heart. However, he made a promise to her. He doesn't like it, but he has to make Nina stop and feel displeased at him. 

Steven released a furious sigh. He looked at Harry, he muttered, "Nina and I talked. I promised I would not fight you because she cared more about blood relations. I want her to be happy. That's why I agreed. But in one condition, I want you to stay away from her, Harry." There's no trace of emotion on his face uttering this. 

Harry wanted to laugh out listening to Steven's blabs. He returned, "You need not remind me, Steven. I'm doing it already. But if you didn't prohibit me and Nina from treating each other as a good friend, I should help her out to get the books she wanted to read. She would not get her wounds now. But your childish behavior makes things complicated for the three of us." 

Harry wants to provoke Steven. He snaps, "So it was my fault that Nina had wounds? That frame is yours! Why do you need to hide Nina's gift on the booksh...?" Steven paused. He realized how he made a huge mistake; he didn't control his tongue. And it's too late! He already spills out the words he should avoid mentioning. Harry is now looking at him with confusion. 

"Nina's gift? What do you mean?" Harry asks Steven innocently... From what he remembered, he never told Steven about the maple leaf. So how did he figure it out? "Did Nina tell you she's the one who gives me that leaf?" Harry tested what would be Steven's reaction.

"Nothing,'' he retorted. "Never mind. Forget what I said." Shit! He only dug a pit for himself! Harry should not learn about Nina's love letter, and Nina should not talk with Harry! It worries him that Nina would mention it to Harry. That is why he will do everything that Nina and Harry would apart from each other.

"Steven, do you wonder why I was near Nina when I am avoiding her?" 

Steven doesn't want to hear it even though he is curious, but Harry continued. "I realized I put the frame there. I rushed to stop Nina, but it's too late. She was already falling from the ladder. And, of course, I could not just stand there and watch her get into an accident. But you are so narrow-minded." 

Steven shoots an intent look at his twin brother. It pissed him when Harry called him narrow-minded. But he held on to his promise to Nina. He won't argue or fight Harry, so he ignores him. He turned off the lampshade on his desk. He strode toward his bed and tucked under the quilt. 

For Nina, he will suppress his fury toward Harry. He could bear not talking or see Harry, but he can't last a day if Nina continues giving him a cold shoulder.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The next morning, it surprised everyone why a doctor was visiting the mansion. 

It was Steven who called their family doctor so early in the morning, and it shocked them to the wounds in Nina's hand. Although it's just a minor, Steven wanted to make sure that it won't get infected. 

"Where did you get this wound, Nina?" Nelson asked her daughter with great concern, but he is glaring at Steven. His chest pounding with anticipation why her daughter gets hurt. His head running wide, pondering maybe the two had fought?

The question was thrown when Harry descended on the stairs. Steven, Nina, and he shared a glance. Being asked, Nina quickly explains to her father what happens, but she didn't mention the part when the twins almost punched each other. 

"Papa, don't worry. It was my carelessness. I was borrowing books in the study. Then one book fell on me when I reached a particular one. I dodge the book to protect my face." Raising her wounded hand, she added, "It's the cause why I have these wounds in my fingers." 

Both Dona and Mely felt horrid listening to Nina's explanation. Dona reaches her daughter's face and scans it. "Are you sure you have no scratches on your face?" 

Shaking her head, Nina replied to her mother, beaming. "No, Mama! Don't worry." 

"Why didn't you tell us last night?" she asked Nina further. Dona could not imagine. How if Nina didn't dodge the book and fell on her face? Ah! She doesn't like the images playing in her head.

Nina replied, "It's okay, Mama. Steven tends them right away." 

"I see." Dona felt relieved, but she senses there was more story to it. 

Mely, who also has the same hunched as Dona, glanced at Harry. Last night, she talked to Steven sincerely. She also knew that Harry was in the study. Now it worries her if something happened more than Nina's wound, and she had to find out the details. 

After the doctor checked Nina's hand and stated that it heals in a week, they've decided that she will stay at home today. Nina does not agree. Even though she could not use her right hand, she could still listen to the lessons. After a brief argument, her parents allow her to attend her class the next day. 

Later, Mr. Feng announced that breakfast is ready. While eating, Steven insisted on feeding Nina. But she refused. She could still use her left hand, eating with a fork. 

Watching Nina and Steven, it delighted Sonny Li to see how Steven took care of Nina. "Steven would be a great husband!" 

Ecstatic from the praise he received, Steven cheerfully phrases, "Don't worry, grandpa Sonny. I will take care of Nina for the rest of my life! She will be the only woman that I would love, and the only woman who owns my heart!" 

Sonny Li, nodding in satisfaction. He glared at his son Nelson like saying, 'Did you hear that?' 

Meanwhile, Jerome and Nelson choose to eat quietly. They may never share what's on their mind with each other, but they have the same thought.

'Harry, who is the better man for Nina.'