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At that exact moment, Sienna enthusiastically chimed in, "Mom, you really don't need to worry about Winona. She has so many friends overseas! Plus, she's an adult; she obviously knows how to take care of herself. You're the one we should be worrying about! Did you take your medicine this afternoon? What did the doctor say?"

Claire's hand curled into a fist, pressing against her lips as she lightly coughed, desperately trying to suppress the irritation in her throat. "I took it. The doctor said I'll be fine."

With just a few breezy words, Sienna effortlessly derailed the conversation, pulling all the attention away from Winona.

This was her classic, signature move. Whether it was within the Wynn household or the Shaw family, the second anyone showed Winona a fraction of care, Sienna would seamlessly hijack the narrative.

No one else ever noticed the insidious malice hidden beneath her words because they were always masked in sickeningly sweet concern. Only the target of her sabotage could truly feel the suffocating intent behind it.

In the past, Winona hadn't been mature enough to hide it. She used to wear every ounce of her frustration on her face, which only resulted in everyone labeling her a dramatic buzzkill.

Now, she simply lowered her lashes, quietly eating the food on her plate.

Claire used the serving fork to place two pieces of BBQ ribs onto her plate. "I remember these used to be your favorite. Eat a little more, you've lost so much weight."

Winona offered a polite, distant smile. "Thank you."

Claire's eyes instantly reddened, her emotions threatening to overflow. Perhaps being ill made her more vulnerable, but staring at the massive, unbreachable wall between her and Winona forced her to remember the little girl Winona used to be. She remembered a tiny Winona dragging a bougainvillea plant inside, excitedly declaring she wanted to plant it in the yard so the branches would reach the window, allowing Claire to see a sea of flowers from her bedroom.

The Wynn family was wealthy enough to buy a thousand gardens, but a child's pure devotion was priceless. Now, that very bougainvillea bloomed vibrantly twice a year, its lush branches and endless flowers providing the most breathtaking view right outside Claire's window.

Claire desperately wanted the best of both worlds, even though life rarely allowed for it.

Still, she wanted to try.

"Winona, do you want to stay the night here?"

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