Chapter 4
Brogan forced composure and said, "Emily, I see you only have a small cut on your hand. No need to go to the hospital. It's still early. I-I want to rest some more. If you really want to go to the hospital, take a cab yourself."
After saying that, Brogan didn't give Jocelyn a chance to speak before turning away.
Before returning to his room, he reminded me. "Jocelyn, y-you should stay. We finally found our real daughter and don't want you to leave like this. About yesterday's incident, just forget it. We won't wrong you so casually again. Rest some more. After daylight breaks and breakfast, the driver will take you to school."
Emily froze in place, utterly confused.
I stood at the stair landing, momentarily dazed.
But since Brogan and Millicent asked me not to leave, it seemed I had reason to stay.
Right then, Emily wondered inwardly again, "Damn, what happened? Weren't they just about to kick Jocelyn out?
"Their sudden change is too weird. Why develop a conscience about treating their daughter well now?
"No matter how hard I try, can't I break their blood bond?"
Emily furrowed her brows and glared at me with resentment.
"They're just being polite by not kicking you out. You should take the hint yourself," she said, attempting to drive me away.
I was suddenly resolute.
Without giving her a single glance, I turned around and entered my room.
The absurdity of the situation overshadowed my grief. Hearing Emily's inner thoughts became the most surreal distraction.
I fell asleep the moment my head touched the pillow.
When the alarm rang, golden morning light had already streamed through the windows.
Then Milo knocked on my door.
He said, "Come have breakfast. From now on, you can join us at the table for meals. There's no need to hold back. This is your home, after all."
This marked the first time he'd initiated a conversation with me.
He looked weary, as if struggling to find the right words. His lips parted several times before closing again, his thoughts left unspoken.
Sitting at the dining table, I quietly ate my eggs, bread, and milk, feeling somewhat uneasy.
Everyone wore somber expressions.
No one said anything.
Yet amidst the crisp clinking of tableware, I once again heard Emily's inner voice.
She complained inwardly, "Another damn breakfast of milk, bread, and eggs. Are we this poor now? Can't we get some variety?
"Sharon is so lazy. She gets 3,000 dollars a month for this? Even dogs would be sick of it.
"Mom and Dad were just being polite to Jocelyn, that idiot, but Milo actually let her sit with us. How can you eat with this loser at the table?"
I clearly noticed Brogan, Millicent, Milo, and Sharon all casting surprised glances at Emily.
Emily remained oblivious, keeping her head down while eating.
She grumbled inwardly, "You awful guys, just keep up with your pathetic family act. Wait until I graduate from Grade 12. I'll expose Milo as gay.
"I'll even hire a toy boy to trick Millicent into cheating first, so Brogan will divorce her.
"Then I'll get Brogan drunk during our heart-to-heart talk and use his guilt to seize the Sharpe family's fortune."
At that, Brogan started choking on his milk.
Milo turned pale with embarrassment.
Sharon stood rooted to the spot like a wooden pole.
Only Millicent remained calm, tossing a tissue packet to Brogan.
Then Millicent handed me a credit card.
She said, "No more part-time jobs. This card has a monthly allowance of 6,500 dollars. I'm sorry for neglecting you before."
I numbly accepted the card.
Emily's eyes nearly bulged out of their sockets.
Her hands trembled as she clutched the fork.
She said, "Mom, I really didn't steal Jocelyn's credit card."
Tears welled up in her eyes as she spoke.
Millicent coldly replied, "That matter's settled. Don't bring it up again."