Chapter 167
Chapter 167
Leila paused in her tracks, her gaze flickering with confusion as she looked toward Cain, "Dad, what's wrong?”
Cain gestured towards the couch across the room, signaling her to sit. He then asked, "I heard that today at school, you offered to get a drink for Merry?”
At his words, a flash of panic crossed Leila's eyes.
Under normal circumstances, such a slight change in demeanor might have gone unnoticed, but Cain, already harboring suspicions, was watching her closely. The shift did not escape his gaze.
Furrowing his brows, Cain felt a sinking feeling in his heart.
Unable to hald back, Paulina chimed in with a hint of reproach, "Merry had a panic attack last night because of a shower. She's terrified of water now. Why would you block her path and offer her a drink?"
Leila quickly spoke up. "Mom, Dad, I didn’t mean to. I saw her at the water cooler and just asked if she wanted a drink. I was only trying to be caring.”
Cain's voice carried a sternness, "Leila, you said last time that throwing away the note at school was out of concern for her, and now you're saying giving her a drink is the same. Do you really love her?”
Leila hurriedly replied, "Of course, she's my twin sister. How lucky am I to have another version of myself in this world?"
Cain kept his gaze fixed on Leila, and after a long pause, he sighed, "Alright, if you truly love her, then I presume you'll be willing to cooperate with what I'm about to suggest.”
A sense of dread filled Leila, "What is it?"
Cain slowly began, "Paulina and I have discussed it. and we've decided that with Merry's current condition, it's not suitable for her to stay at the Delaney's. Her phobia of water is such that even a shower could cause her to faint. It's too much of a burden on them.”
Leila immediately interjected, “Right, we should bring Merry back home." Cain continued, "But, Merry has some misunderstandings about you."
Leila quickly said, "Then I can go with you and Mom to pick her up. I can apologize to her. Once she's back, I'm willing to give her all the best things I have."
Cain shook his head, sighing, "That's not what I mean.” Leila was baffled, "Then what do you mean?”
Exhaling deeply, Cain said, "Merry is ill right now. She needs more care from us, and she's avoiding you, unwilling to even hear about you, let alone see you. Besides. you're in your senior year and your exams are coming up. Your studies are critical. So, Paulina and I have decided to buy a house near your school for you to move into for now. Don't worry, and we'll arrange for two housekeepers to look after your daily needs, and we'll visit often."
Leila's eyes widened in disbelief as she turned to Paulina, "Mom, you want me to leave too?"
Paulina quickly reassured her, "We're not sending you away. You're the most obedient child, Leila. Merry's situation is complicated right now, and we trust you're willing to step back for her sake, right?”
Step back? To give up her parents’ affection?
Leila clenched her fists tightly. Seeing the resolute looks on Cain and Paulina, she knew the decision was final. Always cunning, she managed to hide her unwillingness and rage. only showing a pitiful redness in her eyes.
She nodded, "I'm willing, but Mom, I'll miss you.” Paulina stood and embraced her, "It's okay, Leila. I'll visit you often.”
After releasing Leila, Paulina instructed, "Go upstairs and do your homework. I'll help you pack your things in a bit. It might not be for long. Once Merry gets better and is willing to listen, we'll move you back.”
Leila nodded her head. But as she turned to go upstairs, a fierce glint shone in her eyes. It was all Merry’s fault, stealing the love of Cain and Paulina. She wouldn't let her off easily.
At the Delaney's, Merry and Cordelia returned to find Lorna had prepared dinner.
After putting away their backpacks, they supported Lacy for a stroll in the garden, Though Lacy was a bit out of it, ke was lucid enough to pat Cordetta’s hand and chuckle, "Lorna, dear,ts this a friend from school? Yow should come over more often.”
Merry just nodded and smiled.
She was holding back the sadness deep inside, feeling grateful for the friends she had. After their walk, they came back to a dinner laid out on the table.
Post-dinner, Merry headed upstairs.
To prevent any accidents, Cordelia had insisted that Merry share her room for the time being. That evening, while Cordelia buried herself in her books, Merry, influenced by Cordelia, also began to read.
At half-past eleven, Cordelia took a bath, and since Merry was scared of water, Cordelia handed her a damp towel to wipe herself down. Emerging from the bathroom, Cordelia was taken aback to find Merry stripped down to her underwear, ready to wipe herself clean.
"Lia, what's up? How can I wipe down without taking off my clothes?" Merry asked with a grin.
Cordelia turned away, giving Merry privacy to dry off before she herself started to change into her . nightweaf-Suddenly, Merry grabbed a handfurof Cordelia’s chest, <> cackling, "Lia, I may not be as.smart as you or as good with studies, but I'yvé"finally found somethiag I'm better at. Your breasts ar@ smaller than mine."
Caught off guard, Cordelia didn’t know how to react. Having grown up in an orphanage, she was unaccustomed to such jokes but figured she could get used to it.
Merry added, "Don't worry, though. One day, let your boyfriend give them some attention, and they'll grow." Cordelia was stunned by Merry's brazen words.Content © NôvelDrama.Org 2024.
As they lay in bed later on, Merry was messaging Bland on her phone when she suddenly felt something was off. Turning to Cordelia, she saw her friend staring wide-eyed back at her.
Confused, Merry asked, "Lia, aren't you going to text your boyfriend goodnight?" Cordelia responded with an uncertain, "What should I say?"
"Just a simple 'goodnight',” Merry suggested.
"Okay." Cordelia said, still processing the interaction as she reached for her phone.
Seeing that Cordelia still hadn't budged, Merry simply put down her phone, leaned in, and whispered, "Lia, let's have a little heart-to-heart, what do you say?”
Cordelia replied, "Shoot." Merry wiggled her eyebrows playfully, "What intimate things have you done with Everard?"
Cordelia blushed, her mind racing to the fact that she and Everard hadn't even kissed that week. She turned away from Merry, feigning disinterest, "Let's just sleep, okay?"
But Merry persisted, “Come on, Lia, spill the beans.” Silence fell over the room. The following day, the two of them got up and prepared for school.
With Merry around, breakfast at Midnight Scent was off the table. so Cordelia texted Everard to plan a lunch date instead
As they walked towards their classroom, something felt amiss. Their classmates were giving Merry sideways-glances and whispering. behind.théir hands, their expressions a mixof curiosity and somethihy darker. A sinking feeling took hold of Cardelia's heart, her intuition screaming that trouble Was brewing again.