"Do you live in this area?" Elizabeth asked her.

"Hmm."

"This seems like a nice neighborhood," Elizabeth commented casually.

"So you think I belong in the slums instead?" Elizabeth's tone was sharp and defensive.

"That's not what I meant. I actually feel terrible about how Mother treated you..."

"Stop right there. I don't need to hear about your wonderful relationship with our mother." Elizabeth cut her off mid-sentence.

Cora fell silent.

Though she had never treated Elizabeth poorly, Elizabeth clearly resented her.

"Let's go," Ethan told Cora as he set down his spoon.

"But I haven't finished eating." Cora adored apple pie, and this place made exceptional ones.

"I'll have them pack the rest for you," Ethan said. "Wait in the car."

He handed her the car keys.

She nodded obediently. "Alright. Thank you, Uncle Ethan."

Taking the keys, she left first.

Elizabeth scoffed bitterly.

Ethan was kind to everyone. Even in the dead of winter, he'd rather stand in the cold waiting for takeout than let Cora feel the chill.

Yet Elizabeth remained puzzled.

Why did he treat her so differently?

What had she done to earn his disdain?

Was she inferior to Cora?

No, that wasn't it.

His attitude changed after she fell for him. That's when he showed his true colors.

Ethan had been wonderful to her before. Had he treated Cora with the same warmth initially?

Ethan collected the packaged apple pie and turned to leave.

"Ethan, aren't you worried Cora might develop feelings for you?" Elizabeth suddenly questioned.

His hand tightened around the takeout bag.

"Just a friendly reminder. You should maintain appropriate boundaries, even when being kind to people."

Ethan remained silent and brushed past her.

Elizabeth let out a bitter laugh, an unexpected tear tracing her cheek.

It wasn't regret or sorrow—just pity for her former self.

Ethan never deserved her affection.

Fortunately, her apple pie arrived just then. The sweet flavor reminded her of her relationship with Nathan, washing away the painful memories.

Cora savored her apple pie carefully in the car.

She felt a flicker of happiness, sensing that Ethan wasn't as distant toward her as she'd thought.

He'd shared apple pie with her. He'd even arranged for takeout so she wouldn't get cold.

Currently, she desperately craved acceptance from the Levine family.

"Do you like Nathan?" Ethan's sudden question startled her.

She froze momentarily before blushing slightly.

"I have rather positive feelings about him," she whispered.

"Your mother brought you here today specifically to introduce you to Nathan, didn't she?"

"Yes," she admitted honestly.

"He's not right for you," Ethan stated bluntly.

Cora looked at him, her expression slowly turning hurt. "Do you think I'm not good enough for Nathan?"

"No, it's that he wouldn't be interested in someone like you."