Repentance 9

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Malik bristled. “What’s that supposed to mean?” 

“Exactly what it sounds like,” Sean said coolly. “I don’t care if she’s your adopted sister. Once you take someone in, you’re responsible for them.” 

At the word adopted, Sadie’s lips curled into a bitter, mocking smile. 

Jeremy jumped in quickly. “She’s not adopted. She’s my biological sister.” 

Sean raised an eyebrow. “Could’ve fooled me. If you hadn’t told me you were family, I would’ve called the police–looked to me like someone was assaulting a minor.” 

Malik glanced at the red handprint swelling on Sadie’s cheek. His voice was defensive. “You don’t get it. I was disciplining her.” 

Jeremy stood silent, unable to argue back. 

He had assumed Sadie was strong, that she wouldn’t get sick from falling into a pool–unlike delicate, fragile Lorena. 

Malik sneered. “You don’t know her. Sadie’s always been good at faking it to get out of trouble. She hurt Lorena on purpose. Her dad died saving her, and sometimes I really wonder if her heart’s even human.” 

Sadie’s throat burned. She wanted to speak up–but in the end, she stayed quiet. 

What was the point? They wouldn’t believe her anyway. 

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Lorena bit her lip delicately. “This really is all my fault. I shouldn’t have tried to help. I shouldn’t have insisted on getting her lunch…” 

“You’re right.” Sean said coldly. “It is your fault.” 

Sean’s gaze was cool and sharp. “If you’re sick and hooked up to an IV, you shouldn’t be in a classroom. And definitely not playing the martyr by helping‘ others. Being unwell doesn’t give you a moral high ground- so stop acting like your weakness makes you automatically right.” 

Sadie’s eyes widened in disbelief. She stared blankly at the sharp- tongued school doctor. 

‘He is… defending me? 

‘He actually believes me?‘ 

Her eyes stung suddenly. Even a complete stranger could see what was obvious–but her own brothers couldn’t. Or maybe they could. They just didn’t want to. Because they’d already chosen Lorena. 

Lorena’s expression faltered, a flicker of frustration flashing in her eyes before she quickly masked it. She bit down hard on her lip. 

‘What is this school doctor even talking about? 

‘Can’t he see I’ve gone to class while sick, just to bring Sadie lunch? 

‘Why didn’t my usual performance move him–why isn’t he touched by my selflessness? 

‘That isn’t how this is supposed to go. This act has always worked.‘ 

But now, she couldn’t find a single word to say. She just looked down, pretending to be hurt and wronged. 

Malik stepped up to defend her. “Lorena came to class despite being 

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sick because the exam is less than a hundred days away. She didn’t want to fall behind. She was trying to mend things with Sadic, but clearly, some people don’t know how to appreciate kindness.” 

Sadie couldn’t help the bitter laugh in her chest. 

Funny. Just this morning, Malik had told her to take care of Lorena- fetch water, serve her meals–and now he was pretending that didn’t interfere with studying? 

So he did know the exams were coming up. 

It just turned out her future didn’t matter quite as much. 

Jeremy finally spoke, “Malik, take Lorena home to rest.” 

“Jeremy–what? You’re not even listening to me now?” 

But Malik stopped arguing and led Lorena away. 

The infirmary finally returned to a tense quiet. 

Jeremy looked at Sadie, brows drawn tight. “If you don’t want to take care of Lorena, fine. But don’t ever do something like this again.” 

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Sadie kept her head down. Her throat was raw, and she had no energy left to argue. 

She simply pulled the blanket up and covered her face. 

She didn’t want to see them anymore. 

“Sadie, if you keep acting like this, I won’t be able to protect you much longer,” Jeremy warned, frustration rising in his voice. 

He reached out to pull the blanket away. “Come home with me. We’ll talk this through.” 

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Chapter 10