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.
Chapter 19
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.
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.
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.
Chapter 19
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.
She looked up, her voice sharp and mocking. “Jeremy, would you be satisfied if I just gave my life to Lorena? Would that
Chapter 19
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?”
