Chapter 17

Ever since Giselle's confession had been interrupted by Jake's return home, he had been tiptoeing around, afraid to run into her again. He explained, "The first time she confessed, it was a miserable failure because of me. After so many years, another golden opportunity came to her, and I ruined it once again. "I just wish she wouldn't strangle me to death—that's all!" Ashton found it amusing. "No way, Jake. You're her little brother. She'd never be mad at you." However, Jake wore an unusually serious expression. "Ashton, you have no idea what happened after you rejected her back then. She locked herself in her room for three days. "My mom and dad, who'd lost contact, actually spoke again because of her. My dad even had to talk her down. She really liked you. After all these years, I've never seen her with another guy once…" He quickly added, "Hey, I'm not trying to pressure you or anything. Whether you want to be with her or not, it's totally up to you. Even though I'm her broth