Chapter 12
Andrew’s smile faded, and his voice turned cold. “Emily, you’re not a child anymore. I won’t keep letting you play the game of saying no just to get more out of us.”
Emily laughed bitterly to herself.
Before Lydia came into their lives, the Bennetts used to offer Emily the best of everything without her even asking. She treasured every gift-so much so that she wouldn’t even throw away the boxes.
But after Lydia arrived, they began saying Emily was taking things that didn’t belong to her.
So she tried refusing. Then they accused her of pretending to say no just to get more. They called her greedy and disgusting.
Later, when she asked for things she needed for college, they snapped, “Why do other kids get by without this stuff? You’re just being vain.
“Money doesn’t grow on trees, you know. We’ve raised you for eighteen years-we’re not obligated to support you forever. If you want something, earn it yourself.”
After that, Emily never asked them for anything again.
When she turned to stare out the window, Andrew felt a strange pressure in his chest.
She used to cling to him all the time, pulling his arm and begging sweetly for things. But after just two years, she was so distant now.
He figured she was still holding a grudge about being sent to St. Gabriel’s, and that she was giving him attitude on purpose.
The more she acted like this, the more he felt it was time to break her spoiled habits.
Andrew fell silent. When they got back to the Bennett residence, he got out of the car first without even looking back to wait for her.
Emily didn’t seem to mind. She just quietly followed behind.
As soon as they stepped through the door, they ran into Emma and Lydia, both dressed up and ready to go out.
The smiles on their faces faded a little when they saw Emily.
Emma asked with concern, “Your grandpa didn’t say anything, did he?”
Andrew knew what she really meant and gave her a slight shake of his head.
Emma clearly let out a breath of relief, and her tone toward Emily grew gentler. “Emily really has grown up.”
Andrew frowned slightly but said nothing. He thought it was better to be a little more forgiving as an older brother-not worth exposing Emily’s harmless act.
He changed the subject. “Mom, where are you and Lydia off to?”
At that, Emma lit up. “Lydia’s graduation ceremony is just around the corner. I thought we’d go pick out a proper dress for
the occasion.”
She pointed toward a row of outfits hanging in the living room. “I already had these picked out, but for something this important, I still feel none of them are good enough. So we’re going shopping.”
Lydia smiled sweetly, holding onto Emma’s arm. “I told her it’s no big deal—I’m not used to wearing fancy clothes anyway.
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Chapter 12
But Mom insisted.”
Andrew looked at her with nothing but affection, a softness in his eyes completely absent when he spoke to Emily earlier. “Well, you better start getting used to it. A daughter of the Bennett family should always have the best.”
Lydia beamed and grabbed Andrew’s arm playfully. Thank you, Andrew. I’m so lucky to have a family like you guys
The cozy, happy group blocked the doorway, and Emily could only stand quietly outside, careful not to disturb them.
She had learned the hard way what happened when she tried to force herself into a family that didn’t want her. Now, she just stayed out of the way.
But Lydia suddenly turned, as if just noticing her. “Emily, you’re back? Mom and I are heading out for some shopping. Want
to come?
