Chapter 2
"Dad, Shelby's back," Logan said.
Only then did Dad put down his newspaper and glance at me, his tone indifferent.
"That's good. Have a seat and eat," he said.
I sat at the corner of the table, and nobody paid me any attention.
Everyone's attention was on Leanne.
"Leanne, have some more fish. It's good for you," my mom said.
She picked out a piece of fish for Leanne, carefully removing all the bones.
"Logan, I want some of that soup," Leanne said, looking at Logan.
Logan immediately got up and served her a bowl of soup.
He even blew on it to cool it down before handing it to her. "Take it easy. Don't burn yourself."
I watched them for a moment, then picked up my fork, grabbed a piece of ribs, and started eating slowly.
Suddenly, Leanne gagged and threw up, her face going even whiter.
"Leanne! What's wrong?" my mom cried out, rushing over with a tissue to wipe her mouth.
Logan set his fork down, his expression stormy as he shot me a glare.
"Shelby, if you hadn't made such a fuss about coming back, Leanne wouldn't have had to wait outside in the cold for so long," he snapped.
"I didn't," I replied, setting my utensils down, keeping my voice steady.
Leanne held my mom's hand, her voice trembling as she began to sob quietly.
"Mom, am I really going to die? When I saw Shelby just now, my heart hurt so much," Leanne whimpered.
"Don't say that!" my mom interrupted, her eyes filling with tears. "Leanne, you're not going to die. Mom will do whatever it takes to cure you."
Leanne's crying was starting to get on my nerves.
If she wanted to act all fragile, I could put on an act too.
I lowered my gaze, looking like I was on the verge of tears. "Leanne, why would you say that? The rain had already stopped when the car pulled up.
"You were bundled up in three heavy coats. The servant was holding an umbrella for you, and you only stood at the door for half a minute. How could I have let you get chilled?"
Logan's brows furrowed at my words.
He'd been there when we got out of the car. He knew I wasn't lying.
Leanne's face went even paler, her grip on my mom's hand tightening as she started coughing even harder.
"But I just feel so awful. Shelby's got that country air all over her, and being near her makes me feel anxious," Leanne whimpered.
"Leanne!" I suddenly raised my voice. I wasn't angry, just hurt and on the verge of tears. "I know I just came back from the countryside, and I'm not really good enough for the Mason family.
"But I never wanted to make you feel bad. If I'd known, maybe I should've just waited outside a bit longer and let you go in before me."
My mom looked completely at a loss when she saw me start to cry.
She was about to say something when I suddenly clutched my stomach and bent over, my face turning pale in an instant.
"Mom, my stomach suddenly hurts so bad. Back in the town, I was always hungry, so my stomach's always been weak. The bumpy car ride just made it worse." I said.
Logan frowned at me, his voice losing some of its impatience. "Why didn't you say something earlier?"
"I didn't want to trouble you all," I mumbled, my voice getting smaller and smaller.
When I looked up, my gaze was timid.
"If you think me staying here will make Leanne uncomfortable, I can go stay at the old mansion instead. But that place is so far out.
"What if my stomach starts acting up again and there's no one around? What if I pass out? Wouldn't that be more trouble for everyone?" I said.
That struck a nerve with Dad.
His top priority was the Mason family's reputation.
If something happened to me out at the old mansion and people started talking, it'd be a stain on the Mason name.
He put down his utensils and finally looked straight at me.
"Since your stomach's acting up, you'll stay here for now. Have the servants keep an eye on her," he said.
My mom hesitated, wanting to say something, but Dad's look stopped her cold.
Leanne bit down so hard on her lip. Her nails dug into her palm but she still forced herself to put on a frail smile.
"Then let Shelby stay. That way, I can spend more time with her," Leanne said.
That night, as soon as I got back to my room, I heard Leanne's voice next door, barely above a whisper.
"Mom, how could you let her stay? She's just faking sick," Leanne hissed.
"Your dad already put his foot down. What can I do?" my mom replied.
"Don't worry. When the time is right, I'll figure out a way to send her to the old mansion," Mom said quietly.
I leaned back against the door, a cold smile curling on my lips.
After a while, the voices next door faded away.
Suddenly, Leanne appeared at my doorway, holding a glass of milk.
The softness she'd shown during the day was nowhere to be seen. Her eyes were sharp and fierce.