He had taken Joanne to Water Dock and built her a courtyard full of her favorite flowers and soft toys. She'd led a carefree and naive life like a princess there, but the world outside of her fairytale castle was horrible. Terrible things happened outside her courtyard, making it a forbidden land for ordinary people.

Quinton had prohibited Joanne from leaving the courtyard, and her initial obedience faded after her boredom caught up to her. She had begged him to take her out but he always turned her down. At last, she managed to sneak out alone, and her entire world crumbled when she witnessed

Quinton's cruelty and horrible deeds. It worsened her conflict with Quinton, and she no longer wanted to stay in Water Dock. Quinton then proceeded to lock her up, and then... that tragedy ended everything.

"I locked her up in the courtyard because I was afraid that she might get hurt. The world out there was too cruel and dangerous, and I didn't want to risk her safety. I didn't expect that what I feared most would happen nonetheless.�

Quinton sighed remorsefully. Finally, he looked at Renee in disappointment and asked, �So you knew that she's alive. Why did you keep it from me?"

"I..." Renee looked down guiltily.

"I was unsure what Joanne would face if I told you."

�And are you sure now?" Quinton asked her

quietly.

Renee pursed her lips and answered, "At least I know that you won't hurt her, and that you'll protect her forever."

"Who knows," he replied cryptically, clenching his fists.

Renee's eyes widened in surprise.

"What do you mean? You said hating is harder than loving, and that you want to move on.

Why are you saying this now?"

"I did want that, but it's not something I can decide on my own..." Quinton looked into the distance, sounding sorrowful.

"Resentment isn't easy to resolve; she may not want to fix things even if Ido."

"Oh, that's what you're worried about." Renee sighed in relief when she realized that Quinton didn't hate Joanne.

"Don't worry, though Joanne may hate you, she still cares about you. If not, she wouldn't have whispered your name when she almost died. I know her too, so I can talk to her and help you both meet." Renee wanted them to reconcile with each other.

"Thank you. I really do want to fix things between us." Quinton looked at Renee gratefully. After a peaceful night, Quinton woke up early the next morning.

He looked just like a fresh graduate in a simple shirt and long, slim -fit pants.

Renee emerged from her room in her pajamas, yawning and running a hand through her long hair.

When she bumped into Quinton in the corridor, she was rather ashamed to admit that she couldn't look away.

"Wow, Quinton, you're so handsome. If we weren't siblings, I would have tried to pursue you!" Renee was obsessed with handsome men.

The reason she was infatuated with Stefan in the past was because of how handsome he was. How nice it was that she could see this handsome brother of hers every day at home now! Renee rested a hand on his face, and said cheekily, ''Now I know why Stefan hurt your face. He couldn't be the most handsome man in Beach City with you around." JrNovels.com