Chapter 3 Your Brother’s There
The testing department of Fridman Group was known for its
accuracy.
1/11
Theodore was a little fazed. For a moment, he had no idea what to do about it.
He’d never thought she was actually his blood.
“Don’t worry. You’re my daughter, of course, I’ll take care of you,” he said in a matter–of–fact tone, though it was obviously warmer than before.
Sabrina stared at him, her eyes emotionless. “Rest assured. I won’t bring you any trouble.”
She wasn’t that naive to believe that Theodore would dote on her unconditionally from then on.
In her book, no one in this world would ever have her back.
After the paternity test, Sabrina tagged along with Theodore to his villa in Beverly Hills.
Known as one of the richest neighborhoods in Los Angeles, Beverly Hills was home to many big shots in the state.
Sure, the neighborhood around the Sterling Mansion was nice, but it couldn’t compare to Beverly Hills.
Chapter 3 Your Brother’s There
2/11
Living there wasn’t just about having money; you needed an impressive background and serious skills.
Sabrina quietly assessed her surroundings.
Theodore’s villa was all gray and white–minimalist but screaming money. Every piece looked like it cost more than a year’s rent, but the place was cold as ice. Zero family photos, zero personality–just designer everything and empty space.
“Pick any room upstairs. If you need anything, just ask the butler, Dominic Miles, or Julian,” Theodore said, waving upward.
Clear message: Don’t expect daddy–daughter time.
“Thanks,” Sabrina kept it light, playing nice.
She knew better than to dream of any happy family scenes.
She didn’t hate him, but he was just her ticket out of the Sterling hell.
After the small talk, Theodore left with Julian.
Back into his office, Theodore’s face went granite. “Julian, dig up everything on that girl.”
DNA match or not, he wasn’t taking chances. He’d make sure she wasn’t someone’s puppet to larget him.
Chapter 3 Your Brother’s There
Julian’s spine turned to ice. 1le cleared his throat. “Ugh, Mr. Theodore Fridman, she’s your kid. Isn’t that a bit… much?”
Like, she was just some teenage girl, right?
3/11
“Are you questioning me?” Theodore shot him a sharp, steely look.
Julian’s heart nearly jumped ship.
“My bad, sir.” he gasped out, feeling like he could barely catch his breath.
Actually, the second those words left his mouth, he knew he’d stepped in it.
Mr. Theodore Fridman’s word is law–what was I thinking?
I’m just making a fool of myself.
“Now, get the hell out.” Theodore turned away, voice cold.
Julian, sweating bullets, bolted like his ass was on fire.
Sabrina was completely in the dark about the office storm because of her…
The Fridman Villa was usually as quiet as a tomb. Now, Dominic was practically bouncing off the walls since the boss’s real daughter moved in.
The girl was like a ray of sunshine–impossible not to like. He
Chapter 3 Your Brother’s There
felt like he would do anything to please her.
4/11
“If you need anything, just let me know.” Dominic flashed his best smile.
Sabrina caught his friendly vibe and nodded. “Okay. Any idea when Theodore… eh, I mean, Dad’s coming back?”
Dominic hesitated, knowing how elusive Theodore could be. “That’s hard to say. Mr. Theodore Fridman only crashes here a few times a month. You know, he’s too busy. Mostly, he sleeps at the office.”
Fearing that she might be upset, he quickly added, “But, if you miss him, you can always call him.”
He then gave her Theodore’s private number.
Sabrina didn’t really want it, but Dominic looked so eager she couldn’t bring herself to say no.
Back in her room, she spent ten minutes staring at the number before tossing it aside without saving it.
Meanwhile, Theodore sat in his office, pinching the bridge of his nose while Charles Hudson grilled him.
“So, your heart reacts even more intensely after seeing your daughter?”
Theodore had been dealing with this mess for six months.
Charles looked more concerned by the minute–he’d never seen
Chapter 3 Your Brother’s There
Theodore this rattled before.
5/11
He’d just given him a complete physical. His heart was in tip–top shape, with no signs of damage whatsoever.
Theodore hated not being in control. “Yeah, feel my heart doing somersaults when I see her all worked up,” he replied.”
“Well, then this has to be connected to your daughter somehow,” Charles said, dead serious.
“But I just found out about her today! That didn’t make sense!” Theodore exclaimed, totally flabbergasted.
Charles leveled with him, doctor to patient. “Look, Theodore, you might want to consider talking to a therapist.”
That shut Theodore up real quick. He just sat there, stewing in silence.
*****
That night, Sabrina was slapping on her face mask before bed when her phone went off with a photo.
Then Julian’s text popped up. [Ms. Fridman, take your pick of any high school on it. I’ll handle the transfer.]
She opened the picture–a list of LA’s elite high schools, from the decent to the crazy expensive ones.
After a quick peek, she shut the image and typed back: [Thanks,
Chapter 3 Your Brother’s There but I’m good.]
She had zero plans to switch schools.
6/11
Harvard–Westlake School was LA’s crown jewel, and the only place that actually put academic performance front and center.
Plus, Brianna was still there.
At that time, the Harvard–Westlake School forum was blowing up. Two videos were making the rounds.
One showed Sabrina getting ripped apart at the hospital.
The other caught Brianna taking a tumble down the stairs and Sabrina just managing to reach out.
The comments section was toxic as hell.
[So not only is she mooching off the Sterlings and stealing Brianna’s spot, but now this trashy move?]
[Typical orphan behavior. No surprise she’d pull this crap.]
[Sterlings took her in and she tries to off their heir? Talk about a snake in the grass!]
[Freeloading trash!]
[Someone should make her disappear!].
[No wonder she’s half deaf. Karma’s a bitch.]
Chapter 3 Your Brother’s There
7/11
[Why tf did the Sterlings even take in this dead weight? She’s not fit to shine Brianna’s shoes.]
[Word is the Sterlings are pissed and kicked her sorry ass out.]
[For real?]
[Hell yeah!]
[Serves her right.]
[Just get this garbage out of our school!]
*****
The next morning, Dominic sent a driver to take Sabrina to school, and she went along with it.
Being drama–hungry high schoolers, the Sophomore Class 8 was already buzzing like a beehive about yesterday’s forum posts.
Every corner was packed with little gossip circles, kids huddled together like they were sharing state secrets, complete with wild hand gestures and “Oh my God, no way!” reactions.
But the second Sabrina walked in, everyone zipped it.
All eyes were on her–typical Tuesday for her, though.
With a cocky smirk, she gave those prying eyes a sassy look and plopped down in her seat.
Chapter 3 Your Brother’s There
8/11
Her deskmate nudged her. “Hey, Sabrina, you gotta take a look at the forum.”
The girl sported a sleek bob haircut and was low–key gorgeous.
It was the first time Sabrina actually noticed her properly.
Jane Davis–one of the few who’d ever been kind to her in school.
“Thanks,” Sabrina threw her a little smile.
Jane’s eyes popped wide open, a bit caught off guard. “Oh…. sure thing.”
OMG, she finally noticed me!
Her smile’s so adorable! Make me want to pinch her cheeks!
Sabrina hit up the forum but dipped after two seconds of that bullshit.
Jane, being the sweetheart she was, tried damage control. “Fuck the haters. They don’t know you for real.”
Sabrina paused. “You actually believe in me?”
Jane nodded hard. “Yeah. Just because it’s online doesn’t make it facts.”
She could never forget when her drunk–ass dad showed up at
Chapter 3 Your Brother’s There
school and even struck her.
While everyone else was laughing their heads off, Sabrina stepped up like a boss and scared him straight.
To Jane, Sabrina was like a guiding star.
9/11
Forum drama or not, Jane knew Sabrina wasn’t about that life. She wouldn’t be tricked by those comments.
That kind of ride–or–die loyalty hit Sabrina hard.
Suddenly, Sabrina recalled Jane had said the exact same thing in her past life. It gave her the warm fuzzies.
“Thanks for backing me. That means a lot,” she smiled.
As lunchtime rolled around, Sabrina finally caved to Jane’s puppy eyes about hitting the cafeteria together.
Right as they got settled, they spotted Brianna holding court with her little squad.
“Rina, your brother Kyle’s over there,” Jane said, face twisted. She couldn’t stand Kyle–he was a total jerk to Sabrina. But for some crazy reason, Sabrina was always simping hard for him.
“Yeah, I see,” Sabrina said, stuffing her face like she couldn’t care less.
“You ain’t gonna go say hi?” Jane was shook.
Chapter 3 Your Brother’s There
10/11
Old Sabrina would’ve sprinted over there so fast she’d leave skid
marks.
“Nah, I’m good. I’m done with the Sterling circus forever,” Sabrina dropped that truth bomb.
Jane remembered the forum tea about the Sterling family
cutting Sabrina off. She hadn’t given it a second thought at the time.
She just couldn’t believe how cold–blooded they could be. A little pang of worry hit her. “So, how you gonna manage now?”
Sabrina had to hold back laughing at Jane’s mama bear mode. “Take it easy. I’ve found my real dad.”
Jane finally let out a sigh of relief.
Write your comment
