Repentance 8

Chapter 8 

“It’s nothing. Malik. Just a little scratch. Please don’t blame Sadie–she didn’t mean it. I wasn’t careful and knocked over the IV stand. I’m just clumsy.” 

Sidekick #1 wasted no time jumping in. “That’s not what happened! Lorena offered to get lunch for Sadie, and Sadie lost it–she totally tripped her on purpose! We all saw it!” 

Sidekick #2 added, “Exactly! Lorena’s already sick, and she still thought to ask if Sadie had eaten. And that’s how she repays her? By pushing her over?” 

Malik’s fury flared in an instant, his voice laced with rage. 

“Where’s Sadie? Get out here right now! How dare you let Lorena get you food? Her father should’ve let you die in that crash instead of saving you–at least then you wouldn’t be here to torment his daughter!” 

Inside the infirmary, Sadie heard every word loud and clear. 

She let out a dry, mocking laugh. 

Just like last time. Lorena’s word was gospel. 

The next second, the privacy curtain next to her bed was yanked open. 

Sadie looked up. 

Her face was pale, lips dry and cracked, her body clearly weak and feverish. 

“Sadie, you-” 

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Malik’s words caught in his throat the moment he saw her. 

Whatever rage he’d come storming in with vanished under the sight of her sickly, exhausted face. 

Sadie doubled over, coughing violently into her hand. 

Her thin back trembled as she hunched over, like she might cough up a lung at any moment. 

Malik’s tone was sharp and unforgiving. “Don’t think for a second that playing sick and acting all pitiful is going to get you out of this. I told you to take care of Lorena at school–bring her water, get her lunch. And what did you do? You made her, a sick girl, bring lunch to you. As if that wasn’t enough, you didn’t even show any gratitude. You tripped her instead. Do you even have a conscience?” 

Sadie fought to catch her breath. “I didn’t push her. She just-” 

“Oh, let me guess. You’re going to say she slipped on her own?” Malik cut her off. “That’s the excuse you’re going with? Do you really think I’m that stupid? Just admit you did it.” 

Sadie’s eyes stung. Still, she forced herself to straighten her back and said quietly, but firmly, “I didn’t.” 

Smack. 

A sharp slap landed across her face, heat and pain blooming instantly on her cheek. 

But the sting on her skin was nothing compared to the ache in her 

chest. 

She was so used to this kind of pain, she barely felt it anymore. 

“What the hell, Malik?” Jeremy stepped in, grabbing his arm. 

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Chapter 8 

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“She did something so cruel and still won’t admit it,” Malik snapped. “I don’t need a sister who’s this heartless.” 

At the doorway, Lorena stood with her hand wrapped in gauze, her eyes red, her expression fragile and pitiful. 

She spoke up gently, voice shaking with emotion, “Malik, I already said–it was my fault. Sadie had nothing to do with it.” 

“You’re just too kind, Lorena,” Malik said, jaw tight. “That’s exactly why I have to teach her a lesson. She needs to learn some decency before it’s too late.” 

Just as he raised his hand again, a harsh scraping sound cut through the room–the legs of a chair dragged sharply against the floor. 

Sadie turned to look. 

Sean leaned casually against a desk, arms crossed, his face emotionless. Behind the surgical mask, his eyes were icy cold. “You two her legal guardians?” 

Jeremy nodded. “Yes. We’re her brothers.” 

“She’s running a fever of 102. Has signs of infection. Needs further tests. She’s also hypoglycemic and borderline malnourished.” 

Malik froze. “Wait… she’s actually sick?” 

He had thought she was just faking it to avoid taking responsibility. 

Sean’s tone didn’t change. “Maybe get your eyes checked. It’s not exactly subtle.” 

Her face was pale, her body visibly weak–how was that not obvious? 

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