<b>Chapter </b><b>17 </b>


    Ellen nodded, keeping her head down. “My brother told me,” she said softly.


    She looked like the was about to cry, and Briar felt a little awkward. She wasn’t great atforting kids, so she cleared her throat and tried to keep her tone calm and gentle.


    “Yeah, your brother’s tied up with work and can’te back right now. He asked me to look after you for a bit,” Briar exined. “I’m two years older than you, and I grew up here in Shoneport. I’ll be starting at Shoneport University in September–it’s near your school. You can just call me Briar


    Ellen was polite, despite everything she’d been through with her foster family. She nodded again and said, “Okay. I understand, Briar”


    Briar raised an eyebrow. Ellen was honestly kind of adorable. Something softened in Briar’s chest. After Briar’s mom passed, she’d lived with her grandpa and grown up as the youngest in the family. Her older cousins always doted on her like she was still a little kid.


    Even when she started working with soldiers at fourteen, she’d still been the baby of the group.


    Now, at the Jennings family, Camden and Beatrice also called her “sister” in that fake, mocking way that made her want to punch them in the face.


    “Good girl,” Briar said with a small smile, pulling out a bank card and handing it to Ellen. “There’s 1 million dors on this. Your brother transferred it for your living expenses. We kept it under my name so no one shady could get to it.”


    Ellen’s hands trembled a little as she held the card. She’d never seen this much money in her life. Back when she lived with her foster parents, even after doing all the housework, she barely got enough pocket money to buy breakfast now and then.


    After they kicked her out, she went to school and worked part–time at a small restaurant. The boss always shorted her pay, using her age as an excuse.


    “Briar, 1… I can’t take this much,” Ellen said, scared to even hold the card. It was light, but in her hands, it felt heavier than a brick.


    “Why not?” Briar asked with a softugh. “Are you afraid someone’s gonna rob you?”


    Sam had told Briar about the bullying Ellen dealt with at school. With no parents and no one to stand up for her, she turned timid and scared of


    everyone.


    Good thing it was summer break. If school had still been in session, Sam probably would’ve dropped everything and flown back just to punch someone.


    Ellen’s eyes started to tear up again. She bit her lip, trying not to cry. “They always take my stuff, and I’m scared to tell the teachers.”


    For someone who’d never felt much warmth growing up, it only took a little kindness to break her down.


    But Ellen had learned the hard way that crying never helped–sometimes it just made things worse.


    “Don’t worry. If anyone messes with you, call me. I’ll deal with them,” Briar said. “Do you have a phone?”


    Ellen nodded and hurried to her room. “Yeah. I’ll go get it.”


    Then, she came back with an old, outdated phone–the kind one would throw away without a second thought. It took three whole minutes to power an.


    Briar rubbed her temples but didn’t say anything. She added her number to Ellen’s contacts. “That’s my number. Call me anytime, okay? Until your brotheres back, I’ve got your back.”


    “Okay,” Ellen whispered. She nced down at her junky old phone sitting next to Briar’s sleek one and felt a little embarrassed.


    Briar saved Ellen’s number in her phone as well. Just to be sure, she looked Ellen in the eye and said, “Seriously. Don’t be afraid to call me. F Got it?”


    hing


    Ellen nodded quickly. In just a few minutes, Briar had shown her more kindness than she’d seen in years. “I got it. Thank you, Briar,” she said sincerely.


    <b>13:35 </b>Mon<b>, </b><b>28 </b><b>Jul </b><b>G </b>


    55.0


    “Good girl,” Briar said as she finished her water and stood up. “It’s gettingte. You should get some rest. I’lle by tomorrow, and we’ll go look for a better ce for you to live.”


    Ellen walked her to the door. “Goodnight, Briar.”


    “Goodnight. Lock the door behind me and stay home tomorrow, okay?” Briar said, giving her a small wave before heading out.


    Once she heard the door lock, Briar went downstairs and texted Sam.


    [Just saw your sister. She’s sweet. No major health issues–just a little underweight from not eating well. She’ll be fine with some proper care. But you really should bring Alex back with you. She needs someone who knows how to handle emotional stuff.)


    When she’d handed Ellen the bank card earlier, Briar had also quietly checked her health. Physically, Eller was mostly fine and would bounce back soort enough.


    But when it came to emotional or psychological stuff, Briar wasn’t an expert.


    Sam replied quickly: [Got it. Thanks.]


    Briar put her phone away and walked out of theplex. Ashton’s car was still parked outside, and he was leaning against it, smoking. The night breeze tugged at his shirt, stretching his shadow long across the pavement.


    Brandon stood nearby, alert and watchful in the unfamiliar neighborhood.


    Briar jogged over with a smile. “Hey, Ashton. I’m back.”


    “Did you find your friend?” Ashton asked, flicking his cigarette away as he saw hering. He walked over and opened the car door for her.


    “Yeah, we’re hanging out tomorrow,” Briar said casually, like they were old friends.


    “Do you know where <i>you’re </i>taking her?” Ashton asked as she got in.


    Briar shook her head. “Not yet. I want to help her find a better ce first. This area’s not safe, and she’s still underage. She shouldn’t be living here alone.”


    “Need any help?” Ashton offered.


    Briar waved him off. “No, thanks. I’ve got it. I’m already <i>house </i>hunting near Shoneport University anyway, so I’ll bring her along while I look.”


    As for buying a ce for Ellen<i>, </i>Briar nned to ask Sam to cover it. After all, she wasn’t running a charity.


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