Chapter 4

After that, the director called me multiple times, but I ignored every single call.

In my past life, the director knew how desperate I was to bring Julian home, so she slyly wrung hundreds of thousands of dollars out of me in "investments."

Back then, I was so blinded by joy that I didn't care about the money.

But in this life, I wasn't in a rush anymore.

Julian didn't deserve it.

In the cafeteria, Julian was holding two trays to get food, with Aria standing quietly beside him.

"Why does everyone else get chicken legs, but we don't?"

He asked the cafeteria lady angrily, only to receive a massive eye-roll.

"The director said kids who don't behave don't get the good stuff."

Julian clenched his fists. "Did Jennifer order you to do this? Did she?!"

No matter how loud he yelled, everyone else just stared at him in silence.

Getting no response, Julian could only take the meager trays in frustration.

With their pathetic portions of food, they walked to a corner table.

"Aria, you eat first."

Aria shook her head. "Julian... maybe you should just go home with Jennifer?"

"Do you want me to bow my head to her?"

Aria nodded. "If you do, you won't have to suffer here anymore."

Seeing Aria worry so much about him, Julian's heart ached.

"Don't worry, Aria. I promise I will bring you with me."

"But Jennifer..." Aria started crying again. "She seems to hate me."

I had to hand it to Aria. She really knew how to pull his strings, easily fueling Julian's hatred toward me with just a few words.

Watching the surveillance footage from the orphanage on my tablet, I let out a cold laugh.

Over the next few days, Julian and Aria were treated like outcasts.

A few older, bigger kids took every opportunity to mock them.

"An idiot and a blind girl. You two really are a perfect match."

"Yeah, so stupid. Throwing away a rich family just for a blind girl."

The kids at the orphanage didn't understand the gravity of bullying; they just saw the adults freezing Julian and Aria out and decided to join in.

Even so, I didn't feel a shred of pity.

Showing mercy to a devil is just handing them a knife to stab you with later.

Ring, ring, ring— My phone buzzed.

"Hey, Mom."

My parents' voices came through the line.

"Jennifer, we got a call this morning asking why we haven't picked up Julian yet."

"Mom, did the director call you?"

"No, it was a young girl. She sounded very sweet."

"Jennifer, your father's health is getting worse. He just wants to bring Julian home soon and spend more time with him."

"I understand, Mom."

It looked like Aria had finally made her move.

Winter at the orphanage was brutal.

After driving a few hundred miles, my parents and I arrived at the orphanage.

Julian, dressed in brand-new clothes, was waiting outside the director's office.

"Julian... oh, my sweet boy..." Mom ran forward, crying.

Dad silently wiped away tears beside me.

Julian looked uncomfortable being hugged so suddenly, but when he looked at me, his eyes were filled with pure disgust.

"Julian, I'm your mother. I'm your mom."

Mom held his hand, too emotional to calm down.

"Tell me, sweetie, why didn't you want to come home?"

The director stood by, smiling awkwardly.

"Mr. and Mrs. Franklin, Julian probably just wasn't ready before."

"No."

Julian’s deep voice cut through the emotional reunion. He slowly pointed a finger at me.

"It's her."

My parents turned to look at me, completely baffled.

"Julian, she is your sister."

"She's the one. She told the director and everyone here to bully me," Julian spat, barely controlling his rage.

I looked at him like he was a child throwing a tantrum, keeping a calm smile on my face.

"Me? Why would I bully you?"

"Because I refused to leave Aria behind, so you used these dirty tricks to force my hand," Julian said righteously, as if he were the ultimate victim.