Kyson stood resolute.

"I've said before, no matter who you are, you'll always be a sister to me."

Selina's heart soared at his words, though she kept her joy hidden.

"Still..."

“If she doesn't wish to, don't press her," Lyndon interjected, his tone icy.

Selina cast a glance at Lyndon, her feelings of disdain clear due to his meddling.

Could his chilliness towards her stem from his affection for Rosalynn?

"Kyson, please, just go inside. I want to be alone."

With no other option, Selina feigned compliance, mustering a smile more pained than tears, she shook off Kyson's grip and made a show of walking away.

“Lyndon, you shouldn't treat Selina this way."

Kyson's voice held a note of anger as he caught Selina's arm, reassuring her, "It's okay, Selina. Stick with me."

He then guided her by the hand towards the hotel's entrance.

"Kyson," she called out, her eyes brimming with reluctant tears, following him.

Lyndon watched their retreating figures, his head shaking in mild disbelief.

To him, Kyson's blindness to Selina's ways stemmed from their shared childhood.

Lyndon pondered whether to chalk it up to Kyson's loyalty or his naivety.

Selina sighed in relief, inwardly grateful for Kyson's foolish, yet timely intervention.

"Why are you here, Kyson?" she inquired.

"Lyndon's gone to fetch his parents from the airport. They're running late, so my parents sent me in their stead," Kyson explained.

“What a stroke of luck you're here. Otherwise, I'd be mortified,"