Clemence asked Lea to keep her evening free, without giving any explanation. Lea agreed, curious, and followed her friend through the streets after classes. They reached a familiar door, and Lea’s brows shot up.
“My brother?” she asked, half laughing, half suspicious.
Clemence only grinned. “You’ll see.”
Inside, Julien welcomed them with his usual warmth, teasing his sister before ruffling Lea’s hair just to hear her scold him. They settled down, dinner already waiting.
At first, Lea couldn’t shake the thought. Could Clemence’s secret crush really be her brother? But as the conversation unfolded, that idea dissolved. Clemence and Julien weren’t flirting—they were immersed in talk of Masters programs, exams, opportunities abroad.
Julien had been accepted. He was preparing for the next
