Chapter 3
"Emily!" A shocked cry interrupted Emily's words.
Millicent glared at Emily with furious eyes.
Brogan's face flushed crimson with anger and shame.
Milo stiffened completely, retracting the hand that had been holding Emily.
I stood frozen in place, utterly baffled as to why I could clearly hear Emily's voice even though her lips weren't moving.
Millicent's chest heaved violently as she pointed trembling hands at Emily for the first time instead of directing her anger toward me.
Emily's eyes reddened as she whimpered pitifully, "M-Mom... Wh-what's wrong?"
Millicent gritted her teeth, every muscle in her body taut with tension.
Her lips parted wordlessly, completely speechless.
Then Emily's voice rang out again.
She said inwardly, "That old hag nearly scared me to death! Could she actually tell that I framed Jocelyn? No way. This clueless, brainless shrew couldn't possibly see through my act.
"After Jocelyn accused me of stealing 650 dollars yesterday and she blew her stack, today's injury must've made her too heartsick to decide how to punish Jocelyn. That's gotta be it."
At that, veins bulged on Millicent's forehead.
She glanced at Emily and then at me.
She took a deep breath, struggling to compose herself before saying, "Jocelyn, don't leave. Yesterday, I was speaking out of anger. If you're upset about Emily stealing 650 dollars from you last night, I'll reimburse you that amount."
I froze, momentarily overwhelmed.
Emily panicked and said, "M-Mom, you..."
She swallowed hard before continuing, "Mom, you're not mad at Jocelyn anymore?"
Millicent gave Emily a dismissive look. "Well, haven't you always preached about family harmony? Jocelyn is still my own daughter after all. How could I stay angry with my own flesh and blood? Besides, she's in Grade 12 now. This is crucial. Where would she even go if we drove her out?"
Emily opened her mouth, but she couldn't come up with a rebuttal.
Yet I clearly heard her internal monologue. "This old hag suddenly changed her tune. Annoying! And this idiot Milo, why isn't he cursing? He always hated Jocelyn the most. Why is he keeping his mouth shut today?"
My brother Milo looked rigid.
He felt a hint of fear and unease.
He managed a strained smile as he met Emily's gaze. "Emily, could it be that you—"
"What's wrong, Milo?" Emily asked.
Milo opened his mouth, looking troubled. "N-nothing."
But he obediently stood up and kept some distance from Emily.
Left unsupported, Emily leaned against the wall in the corner. She blinked innocently at Milo with confusion.
Yet beneath this charming demeanor, Emily uttered in her mind, "Milo didn't shower last night again, did he? Ugh, smells like garbage. Gross."
Milo's expression darkened further.
He retreated two paces backward.
Ultimately offering no excuse, he fled back to his room.
After his door closed, I heard the sound of running water from inside.
At the same time, I heard Emily muttering inwardly, "He actually didn't wash up? Disgusting! Ew, gross."
Brogan remained standing nearby.
He swallowed hard, his eyes filled with disbelief.
Emily approached Brogan weakly, tears glistening in her eyes. "Daddy, I-I'm hurt. I'm scared that it'll scar. I..."
Though visibly uncomfortable, Brogan replied with forced kindness, "Alright, I'll take you to the hospital."
Emily immediately latched onto Brogan's arm.
Then that familiar voice rang out again.
Emily gasped inwardly, "Daddy has kept himself so well-maintained.
"I really wish they could get divorced. That disgusting old witch is so repulsive."
Brogan, who had already reached the door, suddenly paused his steps.
He stiffly turned his head to look at Emily.
Emily asked softly, "Dad, why do you stop?"
From several feet away, I could sense the dark aura emanating from Brogan.
He extended a finger and forcefully flicked off Emily's hand that was clinging to his arm.
The force behind his gesture was brutal, and Emily yelped in pain.
However, Brogan's face clearly showed utter disgust.
Emily looked completely shocked.