Chapter 3

Honestly, I didn't even know the answer to that myself.

When my mother was still alive, Joe wasn't like this.

He was the one who spoiled me the most. If I had asked for the moon, he probably would've tried to find a way to get it for me. Everyone knew he doted on his little sister like his life depended on it.

But everything changed after our mother died.

At her funeral, my father brought back a girl about my age and said she was his foster daughter.

He had a long talk with Joe that day. After that, it was like Joe became a different person.

He never looked at me the same again. He made me give up my room for Felicity. Even the little things he used to give me, all those random trinkets, he took them back and handed them to her.

Back then, I was hurt and confused. I kept wondering what I had done wrong to deserve that kind of treatment.

But after the way I died last time, beaten down by his own hands, I stopped caring.

My brother who loved me was already gone.

All I needed to remember was that Joe was only Felicity's brother now.

I brushed Sarah's question off with a few vague answers.

Another half hour passed. Ben still hadn't come back.

Instead, the hospital room door was kicked open.

The one who walked in was my father, William Castro. He frowned when he saw me lying in the bed, irritation written all over his face.

"What are you trying to pull this time? Joe called me and told me you're pretending to be sick. You even dragged his commander into it just to trick him. Do you have any idea how much that man values Joe? Joe's future depends on him! Why can't you be half as sensible as Felicity?"

He sounded like he was scolding me out of disappointment.

But hearing him tear me down like that, I almost laughed.

Joe really was an idiot.

Did he seriously not stop to think about it? I was just a high school senior. How could I possibly get Peter's driver to go along with some lie like this?

Twice, no less.

William's words clearly pissed Peter and Sarah off, too.

"You're her father. How can you not care about her at all? She's running a 102-degree fever!"

You would think that would make him take it seriously.

Instead, he let out a mocking chuckle, eyes full of disdain.

"Oh, keep the act going! Isn't this just about fighting with Felicity for attention? Tricks like this are all you're good at. You're just like your mother. If she had been a little more generous…"

He cut himself off when he met my eyes.

For a second, guilt flickered across his face.

My chest tightened. Something felt off.

My mother had died from illness. Back then, Joe was working, and I was still in school. My father had been the one taking care of her the whole time.

He always said he had taken good care of her.

When she passed, she looked frail, but I had just assumed it was the illness.

But what did he mean just now? What was that about being more generous?

I didn't dare think too deeply about it. I just made a quiet decision to look into it later.

Peter and Sarah were already furious. They had William thrown out of the room. Even standing outside, he kept cursing under his breath.

Ben came back just then and ran straight into him. One punch, and William slunk off without another word.

This time, when Ben walked in alone again, Peter didn't look surprised. His face was as dark as thunder.

"Well, that Joe's got quite the attitude." Ben sighed, helpless. "I told him over and over that it was your order, but he just wouldn't believe it. And his foster sister…"

He hesitated, then repeated what Felicity had said.

"She said, Mae must've gotten mixed up with some shady people to come up with a story like this to fool Joe."

He even copied her tone, soft and affected.

I wasn't surprised. That was exactly how Felicity always talked back home. William and Joe always believed her.

Peter and Sarah fell silent for a long time. The pity in their eyes only deepened.

"Mae, I didn't expect things to be like this in your family." Peter let out a sigh. "Don't worry. You saved my life. If they won't take care of you, then from now on, you're my god-granddaughter. As long as I'm around, no one's going to push you around again."

Sarah gently ran her hand through my hair, her voice soft, telling me not to be afraid.

It had been so long since anyone treated me with that kind of care. My eyes stung before I could stop it.

"Thank you."

"What's there to thank us for? From now on, you're part of this family, too."

Right then, Joe burst into the room.

He looked furious. His face and clothes were smeared with soot, a patch of his hair singed off. He looked like a mess.

The second he walked in, he barked at me.

"Maegan, if you're not dead, get out here! Felicity got burned. There aren't enough beds. Give her yours!"