— 55 vouchers
Sommy had no appetite these <b>past </b>couple of days. His health <b>was </b>never great, and every time he got sick, it felt like going through hell.
After going hungry for two days, Sonny missed Xylia’s hearty porridge more than ever.
He didn’t go to school, <b>and </b>when he realized Xylin was still home, he couldn’t help but go to her room.
Xylia had moved her drawing board by the window. There was a bandage on her wrist, and her movements were slow but steady as she lifted her brush.
The sunlight streamed in through the window, bathing Xylia in a gentle light.
Maybe Sonny hadn’t seen his mother in ages, <b>so </b>now that he saw Xylia, a deep longing welled up inside him.
Out of the corner of her eye, Xylia noticed movement at the door and turned to see Sonny.
Even though they lived in the same house, Xylia hadn’t seen her son in days.
Sonny had even been <b>sulking</b>, insisting on eating in his room just to avoid seeing her.
“Did you need something? Xylia asked, her voice cold.
Sonny felt like his mother was a <b>stranger </b><b>again</b>. He pouted, stuck out <b>his </b>chin, and looked at Xylia acting all high and mighty.
“I want your hearty porridge, Go make it for me, <b>now</b>,” Sonny ordered.
Xylia frowned at his bossy attitude. “Is that really how you ask someone for a favor?”
Seeing Xylia’s expression, Sonny couldn’t help but remember how strict she used to be whenever she was <b>in </b><b>charge </b>of his studies, meals, or anything else, and how stern she got whenever he messed up.
Sonny instinctively lowered his head.
Xylia’s heart softened a little seeing him like that. She’d raised Sonny herself; she knew every side of him.
Upon seeing <b>how </b>his face had grown so thin after just a few days of illness, Xylia’s heart ached for him.
She put down her brush and removed the bandage she’d had on for six hours. “Let’s go,” she said.
Xylia still went to make Sonny his hearty porridge.
While Xylia was making the hearty <b>porridge</b>, Sonny pulled aside the servant and told her to learn Xylia’s recipe.
That way, next <b>time </b>he wanted some, Sonny wouldn’t have to bother his mom for it. The servant could whip it up for him whenever he wanted.
7:04 1110, Sep 1
255 vouchers
When Xylia finished making the hearty porridge and carried it out, Tessa came downstairs.
Upon noticing Xylia serving Sonny his hearty porridge, with Sonny sitting there quietly waiting, Tessa’s eyes. narrowed, and she strode over.
“So you finally made Sommy his porridge. He’s barely eaten these past couple of days–kept going on about your porridge nonstop,” Tessa said.
Worried Tessa might get the wrong idea, Sonny quickly exined, “Tessa, once I’m better, I really like cooking, too.”
your
Tessa smiled and ruffled Sonny’s <b>hair</b>. “You can cat whatever you want, Sonny, I won’t get jealous at all. Just tell me whenever you’re craving something, and no matter what I’m doing, I’ll drop everything to make it for
you.
Tessa, you re so nice
Sonny said,ying it on thick.
Sonny <b>kept </b>buttering Tessa up, and honestly, he was starting to think she really was awesome. She’d make <b>a </b>great mom.
Tessa was not like his mom, who was always bossing him around, nagging about his homework, his bedtime, and even keeping tabs on when he went out to y.
Xylia didn’t get involved in their cozy chat and simply served up the hearty porridge. “Your porridge’s ready. Dig in.
“Let me do it,” Tessa offered, reaching <b>out </b>for the <b>bowl</b>. But just as her hand got close, she suddenly swatted at the bowl.
Scalding soup spilled onto both their hands. Xylia jerked her hand back, while Tessa shrieked in pain.
two voices called out at the same <b>time</b>.
“Tessa,” two
In the next second, Connor rushed to Tessa’s side, worry written all over his face as he gently took her hand.
“Don’t me Xylia. I messed up grabbing the bowl. I’m not <b>that </b>delicate. I’ll be fine. Just hurry and check on Xylia’s hand,” Tessa <b>said</b>, waving off her injury, her skin flushed red from the scalding burn.
Connor <b>shot </b>Xylia <b>a </b>fierce re. “Xylia, there’s a limit to your selfishness. Tessa’s your sister, and she’s a star dancer. You burned her hand. Are <b>you </b>trying to destroy her future?” he snapped.
Sonny jumped in, yelling at Xylia, “You’re just jealous of Tessa. You can’t dance anymore, so you want to mess things up for her. That’s just nasty.”
“I- Xylia barely got a word out before Connor swept Tessa up in his arms and hurried out the door. Sonny scrambled off his stool <b>and </b>chased after them.
Momentster, the engine revved up outside; they must be heading to the hospital.
Xylia went back to the kitchen, running her hand under cold water before applying some burn cream.
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66 vouchers
After she saw Connor and Sonny turn against her, her heart felt almostpletely still. There was still a dull ache in her chest, but she knew it would fade soon enough.
Just as Xylia was about to head back to her room, her phone rang; it was Yves. “Get back to the Schultz. residence within an hour, or face the consequences,” he snapped, then hung up.
Xylia didn’t want to go back. But she knew she needed to settle things with the Schultz family once and for <b>all</b>. Plus, it would be her grandmother’s death anniversary in two months, and she had to be there for that.
After a moment of thought, Xylia packed up and headed back to the Schultz residence.
As soon as Xylia stepped into the vi, she spotted Sadie, whom <b>she’d </b>run into not long <b>ago</b>.
Ruby and Sadie were sitting on one couch, while Yves and Gia sat across from them on the other. Everyone’s expression was grim.
The moment Xylia stepped inside, Gia came at her, hand raised for a p.
Xylia dodged just in time.
“You shameless bitch, still got the nerve to dodge? After all the crap you pulled out there, you’ve made the Schultz family aughingstock,” Gia yelled.
Xylia frowned. “What did I even do?”
“How dare you even ask?” Gia snapped, her <b>hand </b>raised threateningly.
Sadie suddenly jumped up from the couch, eyes zing and teary as she stormed straight toward Xylia.
“It’s all because of you. You man–stealing bitch, you seduced my boyfriend away,” Sadie yelled.
“What nonsense are you talking about? I don’t even know your boyfriend, Xylia retorted.
“How could you not know? You totally saw him that day at the street market. After he ran into you, he dumped me. He must’ve gone chasing after you, Sadie used.
Xylia was at a loss for words. ‘I don’t even know Sadie’s boyfriend. She’s just making up stuff to pin on me, she <b>thought</b>, exasperated.
“I don’t know your boyfriend,” Xylia said tly.
“Still got the nerve to talk back?” Sadie snapped, her hand shooting up as if she was about to p Xylia.
But Ruby called out, stopping her. “Sadie, don’t bother. She’s not worth it. You’ll just dirty your hands.”
Ruby couldn’t hide her disgust <b>as </b>she red at Xylia. “Eight years ago, I already knew you weren’t good enough for my son. Thank God he never married a phony like <b>you</b>.
“Word is you’ve been throwing tantrums and sneaking around behind his backtely. Connor’s sick of you. You really are just a shameless flirt.
7:54 Thu, Sep 11
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“And now you’ve got the guts to go after my daughter? Do you really think my girl is that easy to bully?”
Hearing Ruby’s words. Yves red at Xylia, his face twisted with rage. “You really have the guts to betray Connor, huh?
“Do you even know what shame is. Xylia? If you drag the Schultz family into trouble and Connor decides to take it out on us, I won’t let you g go.”
Xylia was honestly at a loss. ‘Seriously? They called me back here just to frame me for something I didn’t even do?‘ she thought.
“I already said, I don’t know Sadie’s boyfriend. If you’ve got nothing else, I’m out of here,” Xylia <b>said</b>, not bothering to stick around.
Xylia turned to leave, but Gia suddenly yanked her back, her grip digging painfully into Xylia’s wrist.
“You think you can just walk away after pulling this shameless stunt? You owe Sadie an apology,” Gia snapped.
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