Chapter4
The third bedroom belonged to the brothers. There was a bunk bed, a small desk under the window, and a shared wardrobe.
Dora opened the wardrobe and scanned its contents. Most of the hanging clothes belonged to the younger brother. The older brother’s wardrobe. was modest–just a few folded items stacked neatly at the bottom.
The Acosta family had a home and a car–enough to be considered lower middle class. But with four kids all still in school, things were clearly tight financially.
Still, one look around and it was obvious: no matter how strapped for cash they were, the parents had never skimped on their children.
The sister, at that age when girls loved to dress up, had a full set of skincare and makeup products. Nothing luxury–brand, but all from recognizable labels.
The youngest, the little brother, had the most clothes. On his desk sat a bookshelf filled with storybooks and picture books–clearly, he was well
cared for.
The older brothers seemed mature and responsible. He didn’t have many personal items, but he helped out during school holidays by taking part- time jobs. He was practically a second provider for the family.
As for the things Linda left behind–well, even her pillow was the most expensive in the house. Judging by the material and stitching, it probably cost over 100 dollars. Under her bed were seven or eight pairs of stylish shoes, none of them cheaper than 170 dollars.
And yet, when the Hendrix family came to take her home, she had shown
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Chapter4
up wearing a worn–out, ill–fitting dress, playing the part of the poor, pitiful girl. That dress? Chances were, it belonged to her sister.
The iron gate made a loud metallic clang as it opened. Hearing the noise. at the front door, Dora stepped out of the room to see who had arrived.
The first to walk in was a girl in her early twenties. She wore her hair in at high ponytail with blunt bangs. Her outfit was simple–just a plain T–shirt, jeans, and slightly yellowed white canvas sneakers, though they’d clearly been scrubbed clean.
Even in such plain clothes, her natural beauty stood out, and her features bore a striking resemblance to Jerrold’s.
This was Rhoda Acosta, the eldest daughter of the Acosta family.
Holding her hand was a boy of about eight or nine–her youngest brother, Dewey Acosta.
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As soon as Rhoda saw Dora–elegant and polished, looking completely out of place in the humble surroundings–she froze for a moment, then quickly lowered her gaze without saying a word.
Even Linda, who’d grown up in this home, had always thought it was too shabby. ‘Who knows what this high–society heiress, raised by the Hendrix family for seventeen years, must be thinking right now? Rhoda thought.
The next to enter was a tall teenage boy. As he stepped through the doorway, he instinctively ducked his head.
His clothes were even simpler than his siblings‘, but his refined features. and gentle demeanor gave off a quiet elegance. He looked soft–spoken and kind–completely different from the two loud and overbearing brothers. Dora had grown up with in the Hendrix family.
Seeing her siblings for the first time, Dora greeted them with a warm, soft
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smile. “Hi. Nice to meet you all. I’m Dora.”
Her gentle, polite tone made Rhoda’s heart skip a beat. She lifted her head, almost in disbelief, and met Dora’s bright, clear gaze.
‘She. isn’t bothered by how modest the house is?” she wondered.
Something in Rhoda’s heart settled. She offered a small, reserved smile. “Dad already explained everything. I’m the eldest–Rhoda. This is our youngest brother, Dewey.”
“I’m the second eldest–Keith,” the teenage boy added. His smile was gentle, and his peach–blossom eyes carried a quiet warmth. Compared to their parents‘ nervousness and Rhoda’s unease, his demeanor was the most natural and welcoming.
But to Dora, there was something else in his expression too–something that looked a lot like quiet resignation. Maybe he’d already learned not to expect much–especially after how coldly Linda had walked away from them.
Chris came back from the market and went straight into the kitchen, clearly trying to avoid talking to Dora,
Meanwhile, Dora and Alberto sat on the three–seater fabric couch, while the other three siblings sat cross–legged on the floor. With so many people in the small living room, the space suddenly felt cramped.
A girl none of them had met before had suddenly appeared, claiming to be their biological sister. No one quite knew what to say, and the air wast thick with awkward tension.
After a long pause, Alberto let out a heavy sigh and finally spoke.
