Chapter 36 Up in mes
Elsie anxiously rubbed Lily’s <b>back</b>, trying to soothe her breathing, eyes welling up with tears.
“Sis, <b>look </b>what you’ve done! You made Mom this mad–just apologize to her already!”
Finished
Owen mmed his hand down on the dining table. “Yunice! Are you seriously not going to bring out Dad’s things? Do you want to drive Mom to the hospital before you’re satisfied?”
Elsie was secretly delighted.
Earlier at the hotel, Quinton had asked Yunice several times about the origin of that notebook–it was clear he was very interested in the Saunders family’s ancient texts.
And if those texts ended up in her hands, there wasn’t a single resource she wouldn’t be able to trade them for. Even foreign hospitals had been trying to get their hands on the doctor’s methods.
While Lily wept and Owen fumed, Yunice remained calm andposed.
That indifference only made their rage burn hotter.
Before they could explode, Yunice turned to Lily and asked. “Didn’t Dad tell you where I hid the texts when he came to you in that dream<b>?</b>”
Owen mmed the table again. “Watch your tone, Yunice!”
Yunice looked at him. “Dad really did leave the texts to me. But three years ago, I was dragged straight from the <b>living </b>room to the <b>psych </b>ward. I didn’t take a single thing from the house. It’s been three years–how would I know where the texts are
now?
Owen was momentarily <b>stunned</b>, his bluster dimming. “Then <b>where </b>did you put them three years <b>ago</b><b>?</b>”
Yunice nced at Elsie. “In my room, of <b>COUTSC </b>
That room was now Elsie’s,
As everyone turned to look at her, Yunice added, “But it’s been three years. Who knows if they disappeared like my old agarwood bracelet did?”
Elsie quickly denied it, “I’ve never even seen those texts-
Yunice cut her off with a coldugh. “Exactly. It’s not like anyone took inventory of my room back then. Who’s to say <b>what’s </b>missing or added now??
Elsie was practically sobbing, tugging on Owen’s sleeve with both <b>hands</b>. “Owen, you believe me, right? I didn’t steal anything!”
Yunice spoke before Owen <b>could </b>defend her. “There’s security cameras in this house. Ever since I got back, I haven’t <b>gone </b>upstairs, right?”
Lilytched onto her point. “But I saw you digging something up in the yard the other day…“.
Yunice replied, “<b>You </b>already checked that box. It was just my childhood doodles.”
Lily’s tears clung to hershes. She paused, then sighed. “I know <b>you </b>can’t bear to give the texts back to me. But what about the notebook Owen mentioned–can <b>you </b>at least let me take a look at that?”
Her gazended on the crossbody bag Yunice always carried.
Yunice’s fingers tightened around the strap. Faced with <b>the </b><b>three </b>of them closing in, she forced a dry smile, swallowing her
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Chapter 36 Up in mes
#Finished
ust as Lily reached for it. Yunice opened it herself, showing them their father’s handwriting. “This is his collection of medical notes. He never let it out of his sight when he was alive. If he really came to you in a dream, I figure he just wants you to bum his and send it to him.”
Lily, pleased by thepromise, nodded and smiled. “I’ll offer it up to him right away so he can rest easy-
she reached for the notebook, but Yunice pulled it back slightly.
Then, holding one corner of the notebook in one hand. Yunice flicked on a lighter with the other. Before anyone could react. she touched the me to the edge of the rfotebook
Elsie’s smile vanished instantly. Just a second ago, she’d been fantasizing about trading that notebook to make Quinton happy
-now it was up in mes!
She lunged, but Owen was even faster.
Yunice let go before either of them could grab it. mes leapt high from the notebook, burning fast and hot.
Owen tried to stomp it out, but the fire only grew wilder, nearly catching his pant leg.
By the time the mes died down, Owen–pale with rage–picked up what was left of the notebook and opened it, only to be stunned.
Half of it had <b>burned</b>. The half that remained was entirely nk–no writing at all
He mmed the scorched remains on the table and shouted. “Who told you to burn it! Mr. Ford was really interested in Dad’s notes!<b>” </b>
Yunice looked innocent. “Mom said to burn it and send it to Dad. I was just doing what she said… And you never told me Mr. Ford wanted it! If I’d known. I wouldn’t have burned it….”
“What’s the point of saying <b>that </b>now!” Owen fumed.
Lily looked both regretful and angry. <b>“</b><b>You </b>still shouldn’t have burned it without asking!”
Yunice replied sweetly, “I just didn’t want you to keep having headaches. I thought if I burned it early. Dad <b>would </b>stop bothering you.”