Chapter 19
Sadie shook her head. “Just browsing. Right now, studying’s my top priority”
“Next week’s another exam,” he said. “If you make it into the top 100, I’ll let you play.”
Sadie looked up and grinned. “And if I do, will you play with me, Mr. Francis?”
She already knew he played the same game.
His expression didn’t change, his profile sharp under the clinic’s soft light. “Haven’t played in a while. Let’s see if you actually make the cut.”
“It’s a deal.”
Watching him walk away, Sadie felt something light spark in her chest. She would get into the top 100. Especially if he acted like he was some kind of legend.
She’d been a top–tier player in her previous life too.
Maybe this time, she could surprise him in–game–win back a little pride.
For the first time in a while, she found herself actually looking forward to something.
Later that evening, after finishing her assignments, Sadie returned home. But as she walked into the living room, she froze.
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Chapter 19
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Jeremy was sitting on the couch.
Her heart skipped a beat. ‘Why is he back early?‘
The past few days, her brothers had all been busy with training and came home late.
Jeremy looked up, his tone sharp. “Where have you been? It’s already late.”
Her pulse jumped. She couldn’t let them know she’d been staying late at the infirmary. If they found out, they’d ruin the only peaceful place she had left.
She kept her eyes on the floor. “I was studying at a nearby learning center. The atmosphere there’s better–lots of focused students.”
“Hand me your bag.”
Sadie handed it over. She watched as he flipped through her notebooks, finding page after page filled with notes and corrected mistakes.
He frowned.
The housekeeper had mentioned that Sadie hadn’t been coming home on time lately. He assumed she was sneaking off somewhere.
He hadn’t expected this.
Jeremy set the bag down. “Sadie, we need to talk.”
Sadie looked at him calmly. “What about?”
He studied her for a long moment. She was quiet–too quiet. She felt….. different.
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Before, if something like this happened, she would’ve cried or complained, maybe even run to another brother to tell on him.
Now? Nothing.
She was slipping further and further from their control–and he could feel it.
He tried again. “Lorena’s been making real progress lately. If you joined training, I’m sure you’d improve too. You’ve got talent. Just a little time at the camp wouldn’t affect your studies. Wouldn’t it be nice if we all worked toward something together? When Ethan comes back and sees us united, he’ll be proud.”
Sadie lowered her head, the faintest trace of sarcasm flashing in her
eyes.
“I’m not joining the team.”
Jeremy’s voice turned harder. “Sadie, Lorena is part of this family. So are you. We should support each other–not shut her out. Don’t forget, her father saved your life.”
He didn’t understand.
He’d given her so many chances. ‘Why doesn’t she appreciate any of us?‘ he thought.
‘Everything we are doing for Lorena–isn’t it all to repay the debt on her behalf?‘
The room fell silent. The weight in the air was suffocating.
Sadie’s fists clenched,
She couldn’t take it anymore.
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Chapter 10
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She looked up, her voice sharp and mocking. “Jeremy, would you be satisfied if I just gave my life to Lorena? Would that make it even?”
Sadie sat up straight.
She had always known that Lorena’s father had saved her life. That was why, when Ethan brought Lorena into their home, she hadn’t objected. In fact, she’d treated Lorena like a real little sister.
But over time, she started to see things more clearly–Lorena had quietly, methodically, stolen her brothers‘ affection.
That was when everything between them started to sour.
Jeremy’s voice suddenly snapped through the air. “Sadie, do you even hear yourself? You think we’ve done all this to hurt you? We just want you to get along with Lorena! Is that really so hard? How long are you going to keep this attitude up?”
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Chapter 20
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