Rebirth of the Dismembered Heiress
Chapter 28 A Heavy Burden
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“Since you bought that house with your own money, that’s all the more reason you should keep it,” Penny said firmly. “It’s your property. You’ll marry someday, and our family is poor. We won’t be able to give you a dowry. That house will be your security. If your in–laws treat you badly one day, at least you’ll have a place of your own.”
Wyatt nodded in agreement. “Your mom’s right. Keep it for yourself–we won’t move in. Things are fine here. We may be poor, but you’ll need that house in the future.
“Look at your brother Cosmo–he’s already 26 and still not married. Vic is single, too. Even your sister Lottie hasn’t had a single proposal because of our family situation. We can’t drag you down as well.”
“Dad, don’t say that. Marriage is fate–you can’t predict it. For all we know, Cosmo, Vic, and Lottie’s matches are already on the way. Cosmo is kind, Vic is capable, and Lottie is beautiful. They’ll all find good partners, don’t you think?” Evelyn smiled as she looked around the table.
“Evie, you always know what to say,” Charlotte laughed. “We’re not in a hurry. As long as this family gets better bit by bit, I’m content.”
“Exactly. I’m not in a rush either. Falling in love is boring anyway. I’d rather make money,” Victor added with a shrug.
Evelyn’s words eased the atmosphere, and the family shared a rare moment of warmth and harmony.
The next morning, Evelyn headed over to Stellan’s room after checking Wyatt’s leg. “Do you have any feeling in your arm yet?”
“Yes, I can move my hand a little now!” Stellan’s voice brimmed with excitement. For years, his limbs had been useless, and he hadn’t been able to lift them at all.
“Seems you’re recovering even faster than I expected. In a few days, you should be able to use both hands and hold simple objects without much trouble.”
Stellan’s eyes
lit up
with hope. “Evie, thank you,” he said gratefully.
“Hey, you’re part of this family now. Whatever happens in the future, at the very least, we’re family.”
Her words warmed him to the core. He had grown up in a cold household, never once knowing what real care felt like. This was the first time.
“Evelyn! Evelyn! You’ve got to save me this time!” Simon burst in, panic all over his face.
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Chapter 28 A Heavy Burden
“What happened? Why are you making such a fuss?”
“My… my homeroom teacher came for a home visit. I’m done for this time.”
“It’s just a visit. What did you do wrong?”
“Just go look and you’ll know.”
Evelyn followed him downstairs and found the teacher in the yard speaking with Penny.
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“Mrs. Gulliver, I have to talk to you about Simon. He’s been skipping classes, and his grades. have dropped to rock bottom. I remember in his first year, he was at the top of the class, and now he’s near the bottom.
“Next year is his final year of high school–this is the most critical stage! You must take it seriously. On top of that, I hear he’s been mixing with thugs outside school. If he doesn’t turn things around, he could ruin his future.”
She went on and on, while Penny only lowered her head, apologizing with tears brimming in her eyes.
After the teacher finally left, Penny returned inside. Simon, seeing her red eyes, felt a pang of guilt. “Mom…” he murmured, head down.
But Penny snatched up a broom and struck him in frustration. “You rascal! No one in this family has ever gone to college–we’ve all pinned our hopes on you! Your brothers and sister work hard to support you, paying your tuition with money they could barely spare. And this is how you repay them?
“Do you know how much Vic wanted to go to college? He had to give it up because we couldn’t afford it. Now that you have the chance, you waste it. How could I have raised a son like you?!” Her voice broke as she sobbed.
“Mom, stop!” Evelyn rushed forward and pulled the broom from Penny’s hands.
“I’ll talk to Simon. Please, go rest for a while,” she soothed, guiding her mother back to her
room.
Then she turned to Simon. He hadn’t run or hidden–he stood there, shoulders slumped, waiting.
“Come with me. Let me see your schoolwork.”
Inside his room, Evelyn opened his bag. Exam papers and homework spilled out–most marked with failing grades in the forties and fifties.
“These scores are terrible. Clearly, your mind hasn’t been on studying. Why?” Evelyn asked.
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Chapter 28 A Heavy Burden
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Simon’s eyes darkened. “It’s just… I’ve been in a bad mood. Do you know Ryan, Aunt Scarlett’s son? He goes to my school too. He’s also a Gulliver. Why does he get to show up in a luxury car every day, while sometimes I can’t even afford my tuition?”
Evelyn’s expression hardened. She had already guessed as much. “So, Ryan humiliated you at school, didn’t he?”
Simon nodded silently.
Send Gifts
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Rebirth of the Dismembered Heiress
