“I’m sorry I couldn’t come to see you, love,” Brandon says smoothly, stepping closer. “I came, but your brother forbade me. He knows I’m the one who leaked the fashion designs.”
I let out a slow breath.
“Oh, that's, um, understandable.”
“Ella, you know I won't miss a chance to be close to you, not to mention you being sick. But you bringing that topic up…” He pauses, his eyes scanning my face searchingly.
“Why are you distant? Are you pushing me away because you realize I’m not your mate?” he asks softly.
My stomach twists as I blink, caught off guard by the question.
“No,” I say quickly. “It’s not that. I just…” I trail off, swallowing hard. I meet his gaze and ask him. “What if you meet your mate one day, Brandon? What will you do?”
He laughs, shaking his head, like I’ve said some
