Chapter 275

Elaine nodded without hesitation, then followed Samantha to a quiet little flowerbed where they sat down side by side. Samantha looked like she was figuring out how to start, and Elaine just waited patiently, not rushing her one bit. After a long silence, Samantha finally said, "Zachary and I... we're actually half-siblings—same dad, different moms." That really threw Elaine off. Her eyes widened in surprise. Samantha lowered her head a little, clearly struggling with something deeper. "He does it to protect me." "I've told him to stop, but he won't listen. The moment he sees any guy he doesn't like talking to me, he chases them off." Elaine could tell she was being honest—Samantha didn't have a reason to lie. "No one else knows you're siblings?" Elaine asked, curiosity getting the better of her. Samantha nodded. "I can't tell anyone. Neither can he. I'm... the one the family doesn't really acknowledge." There was this fleeting sadness in her eyes as she said the last part. Elaine felt