Fostering together (1)

Author's note: this is from Duke's point of view

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When I saw Luca and Ash fighting in the forest, I feared how Serina will be affected by this.

She was looking forward to hosting this party and letting her fosterlings enjoy some good time with their friends, and when the birthday boy ends up in a fistfight with his supposedly best friend, that can't be good.

While walking back to the villa with four silent teenagers, I held Serina's hand with the hope that she knows I am by her side. Her discomfort was palpable, and it was gnawing at me from the inside.

I believed that things will be clarified once we reach the villa and they explained themselves, but the reality proved me wrong. 

I was vexed that they stayed silent when Serina asked what's going on. She was only trying to help.

Don't they see how much their stubbornness is impacting her?