"Should I help you, Sis?"
Annabelle, still displeased, glanced at her brother, who had been walking on eggshells around her for some time now, as he asked. She refused coldly without a second thought.
"No, there's no need."
She intended to turn around and start cleaning his room, but in the end, she hesitated. Her heart softened just a little, and she briefly considered saying something more to ease the tension between them.
But even that thought quickly passed. She decided he should suffer for a while and reflect on what he had done wrong, at least until she finished cleaning.
"I'll inform you when I'm done," she said, finally walking away.
Christian watched her retreating back, feeling even more awkward and guilty.
He had hoped that by the end of his torturous mealtime, Annabelle would have eased up, even slightly. But seeing no change, he was left wondering what he should do.
