Chapter 142. I’m Borrowing Your Interior Designer

Carmen turns away and pretends to fluff some plants in the pots on the side dresser, and I glance at my brother, who is still hovering by the far door. His eyes are on her despite his efforts to keep looking away, which ignites a tiny splinter of hope in my heart. He’s wavering. Being here a week and seeing her from afar, sensing her, smelling her scent… he needs a little push.

“Carmen, can you take those ones to the library? They aren’t needed in here.” I nod at the extra plants sitting on the floor from when we were styling the dresser and nod towards Jasper’s door, which leads to the same hall the library is on. She has no choice but to go that way, or else it would be too obvious she’s avoiding him. She has her pride, after all. And I am not against using any method in my arsenal to force my brother’s hand. He’s deliberately kept away from her because he’s weak, and I am almost a hundred percent certain he won’t withstand any nearness.

“Hmm,” she replies blandly, as