Chapter 23 Standing Up for Family
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But the next moment, Cosmo lowered his head, looking dejected. “I’m so useless. So dumb. Chuck introduced me to a job, but I messed it up. Now, I can’t go to the construction site anymore, and I’m not much help at home either, only doing what little I’m capable of.”
“You’re not dumb, Cosmo. You’re a good man,” Stellan said gently. Compared to those who schemed and calculated, he found Cosmo far better–kindhearted, genuine, and without hidden motives.
Cosmo’s eyes lit up instantly. “You really mean that?”
Stellan nodded, and Cosmo broke into the biggest grin, happy like a child. “Yes! Wonderful! My brother–in–law doesn’t think I’m dumb. Ahhh!”
Seeing him so endearing, Stellan couldn’t help but laugh as well. For the first time, he realized that while life here was simple and poor, it had its own beauty. The mountains and rivers stretched green outside, vegetables grew in the yard–it all felt like a peaceful countryside life.
Just as the sky began to darken, Penny returned from the fields, her face lined with worry.
“Cosmo, has Simon come back yet?” she asked.
“No, I haven’t seen him all day.”
“This boy’s always had such a strange temper. He ran out last night and still hasn’t come home. It’s driving me crazy with worry!”
It was Saturday, no school, but no one knew where he had
gone.
“Shall I go look for him?” Evelyn offered.
“Yes, please do, or I won’t rest easy. My eyelids keep twitching–I have a bad feeling something’s happened.”
“Who does Simon usually hang out with?”
“I know that! He’s always with Cyrus, Mrs. Leary’s son. The two of them are practically glued together,” Cosmo blurted.
“Alright, I’ll go check at the Learys‘. Don’t worry,” Evelyn said as she headed for the door.
“Evie!” Stellan called out suddenly.
She turned back. “Yeah?”
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Chapter 23 Standing Up for Family
“Be careful,” he told her.
“I will.”
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Watching her leave, Stellan wished he could recover quickly–just so he could walk beside her.
Evelyn went first to the Leary household, only to spot Cyrus sneaking out. She followed and blocked his path.
“W–who are you?” Cyrus stammered, startled by the strange girl.
“I’m Evelyn Gulliver, Simon’s sister. Where is he?”
“I… I don’t know.” Cyrus shifted nervously, clearly flustered.
With that, Evelyn grabbed his wrist and twisted it back.
“Ow! What are you doing? Let go! Let go!”
“Take me to Simon!”
“Alright, alright–let go!”
She released him, and when Cyrus looked at her again, a chill of fear ran through him. “Y- You’re the sister that got swapped at birth? You’re quite the fighter-”
One sharp look from Evelyn shut him up instantly. He led her to a shabby little inn, the kind that charged barely a hundred a night.
“H–he’s inside,” Cyrus said, pointing at a door. And the next second, Evelyn kicked it open, rendering him stupefied.
Inside, Simon jolted up, thinking someone had come after him. When he saw Evelyn and Cyrus, shock washed over his face.
“Um… Simon… don’t blame me, alright? She threatened me. I couldn’t fight her.” Cyrus sputtered before bolting away.
Noticing Simon lying battered on the bed, wearing only a tank top, his body covered with bruises, Evelyn demanded, “What happened to you?”
“None of your business!” Simon snapped. He had no affection for the sister he barely knew,
Evelyn ignored his coldness. She strode over and tugged his ear hard.
“Let go! Even Mom’s never done that to me. Who do you think you are? Get out, get out!” Simon shouted, struggling against her grip.
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“I’m your sister,” Evelyn said firmly, an arm akimbo. “That gives me every right to deal with you. Now talk. Why didn’t you go home? Why are you hiding here?”
“Why should I tell you?” he shot back.
“If you don’t, I’ll call Mom right now and let her see what you look like.” Evelyn pulled out her phone, feigning a call.
Simon quickly grabbed her wrist. “Don’t! Don’t! I’ll talk.” The thought of Penny seeing his condition made his stomach knot.
“It… it was Ethan Talbot, one of the spoiled scions at school. I offended him without meaning to, and he’s been after me ever since. He even hired some thug, Mad Dog, to rough me up. I couldn’t fight them off, so… here I am.” Simon lowered his head in shame.
“So that’s why you didn’t dare go home–you didn’t want the family to worry?”
He nodded.
Evelyn seized his hand. “Take me to them. We’re going to settle this.”
Send Gifts
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