Chapter 35 If Only
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Nadine spoke at the right moment. After that, she propped her chin up, watching Tess’s reaction with interest.
As expected, Tess froze in ce.
There was only one spare room in the house, a storage room packed with junk.
Kylie nced over, a flicker of difort in her eyes, but still said, “It’s just sleep, isn’t it? Doesn’t matter where. It’s only a few days–not like you’re royalty.”
Tess’s grip on her suitcase handle tightened.
Again.
She was the real daughter.
っ
But ever since they were kids, if Nadine wanted something–even if she begged to keep it- Kylie would rip it straight from her hands without a word.
Tess used to cry, confused, clinging to Kylie’s sleeve and asking why.
All she got was a cold look from above.
“Nadine wants it, so give it to her, You’re the sister. How did I raise someone so petty?”
That was what Kylie said. Always.
Tess’s limbs went weak. She felt hollow.
She didn’t even have the strength to fight like she used to.
Without hesitation, Tess went to the storage room.
Not seeing the usual anger or shock on her face, Nadine shrugged in disappointment and looked away.
Kylie stared nkly at Tess’s back until she closed the door.
“Mom, is Tess mad at me?” Nadine picked up on Kylie’s mood right away. She quickly threw on a guilty, pitiful face and wrapped herself around Kylie’s arm.
Hearing that, Kylie raised a brow and mmed her palm on the coffee table. “Mad at you?
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Chapter 35 If Only
Sounds like she’s getting too bold!”
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Then she gently ruffled Nadine’s hair with a soft smile. “You always think about others first. That’s why you get taken advantage of.”
“As long as I have you, I won’t,” Nadine said sweetly, snuggling into Kylie’s arms.
Her words made Kylie beam with joy.
The twoughed together, filling the living room with warmth.
But inside the storage room, the air was thick and heavy.
It was worse than Tess remembered,
Since she left, the clutter had only grown. There wasn’t even space to stand.
The bed in the center had arge crack running through it and was piled high with old nkets and clothes.
The windows hadn’t been opened in ages. The air reeked of damp mold.
As Nadine’s whiny voice leaked through the door, Tess let out augh mixed with mockery.
But her eyes were cold–full of mockery.
She didn’t ask why anymore–why Kylie yed favorites or why she was always the one left
out.
She used to think her heart was like a dried–up river, desperate for love. But even in her numbness, the sting was still there, sharp and real.
She still cared.
But caring didn’t matter. Her grandma was gone. The only one who gave her love. Now she was just a fish–forced to swim alone in a rushing stream.
Tess blinked away the sadness and quickly cleared off the bed.
Maybe it was the rain earlier, but that night, she came down with a low fever.
Her mind was filled with memories of her grandmother holding her, calling her “sweetheart,” and whispering soft words tofort her.
In her fever dream, she clung to it, small and pitiful–tasting a piece of sweetness she hadn’t
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Chapter 35 If Only
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“Grandma … it hurts…” she murmured, tilting her head as if begging for her grandmother’s warm touch to soothe her.
But the darkness never lifted.
She woke up. It was only a dream.
Tess slowly opened her eyes, dazed. Her stomach growled from the cold air.
She had cracked the window open earlier for air.
The heat had hit her hard. She’d cked out in a blink.
She touched her forehead. Burning hot.
Her whole body felt weak, and she stared nkly at the ceiling.
<i>If </i><i>only </i><i>I </i><i>could </i><i>die </i><i>in </i><i>my </i><i>dream</i>.
<i>No </i><i>harsh </i><i>life</i><i>. </i><i>No </i><i>endless </i><i>cold </i><i>stares </i><i>and me</i><i>. </i><i>Just </i><i>a </i><i>little </i><i>girl</i>, <i>happy </i><i>and </i><i>safe </i><i>in </i><i>Grandma’s arms</i>.
Lost in thought, she didn’t even notice the tears silently sliding down her face.
Until a soft little face appeared in her blurry vision.
La.
Right–she still had La.
If she died, what would happen to her?
Without a mother, La would be bullied too, just like her.
Tess bit down hard and pushed herself up with her arms.
She couldn’t fall. She had to go back. She had to raise La.
She wouldn’t let La go through the same pain.
Clenching her teeth, she got up, went to the bathroom, soaked a towel in cold water, andid it across her forehead.
She went back and forth all night. Her fever finally broke just before dawn.
Chapter 35 If Only
Bang, bang!
The door to the storage room was pounded on early in the morning.
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Tess had barely fallen asleep. The noise yanked her awake. Her body felt like a soaked sponge -weak but unbearably heavy.
She stumbled to the door. When Kylie saw Tess’s ghost–white face, she flinched in shock.
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Chapter 36 Grandma’s Death Anniversary