Aurora Sterling's hunch was right. Damien Valerius's eyes darkened. "My third brother is gone."
His eyes lost focus as he gazed at the dark sea in the distance, an indescribable sadness clouding his handsome face.
Ever since she'd met him, Aurora Sterling had never seen him like this. Even when faced with death, he had never shown a hint of weakness. But in this moment, he seemed like a wounded child.
Her heart aching for him, Aurora Sterling wrapped her arms around his lean, firm waist, wordlessly keeping him company.
"My third brother is gone… because of me."
From her position, Aurora Sterling could clearly see his Adam's apple bob.
"When I was ten, I had a craft project for school. I'd heard the maple leaves at Frelwood were at their reddest, so I begged my third brother to take me. He put aside the work the Old Man had assigned him and took me to Frelwood. But on the mountain road, a massive boulder came loose. It crushed our car, trapping my brother and me inside."
