Chapter 3The Inheritance of Strangers

I had met Victoria, Chloe, and Harper. Only Ethan was missing.

I played with a small, exquisite action figure.

"Like it?"

Chloe sat beside me, eyes full of expectation.

"Yeah!" I nodded, but hesitated.

"Chloe, you saved... this many?"

The entire storage room was filled with figures.

Chloe twisted the hem of her shirt. "When you were little, you said you liked them."

I blinked. I had no memory of my sisters. Mom said she left when I was born. When did I say I liked figures?

Seeing me stare, she said awkwardly, "I was holding you, walking around. A guy teased you with a figure. You wanted it, he wouldn't give it! You cried."

I was surprised. "I don't remember."

She said anxiously, "I remember! I knew then I wanted to give you everything good in the world. But..."

I patted her shoulder. "Okay, okay! Don't think about the sad stuff."

I stood next to a life-size figure. "Chloe, am I as tall as this one?"

She rubbed my head. "Our Leo will grow tall!"

We spent the afternoon organizing the room. It became my playroom. Besides figures, there were expensive toys. Uncle Richard even sent a slide when he saw us.

If Mom hadn't stopped him, he would have sent a ball pit.

Well, he sent it anyway.

After playing, I opened my door to find Victoria sitting at my desk.

"Victoria," I called obediently.

"Hmm. Like the playroom?" She wore gold-rimmed glasses tonight, looking gentle.

I sat on a small stool next to her. "Yes! Chloe played with me for a long time!"

Victoria pinched my cheek. "Chloe is the fun one. Leo must like her more. You said you liked her face yesterday."

I sensed something wrong. I moved my stool closer. "I like you just as much, Victoria!"

"Really!"

"Victoria is great too!"

Just a bit scary looking. I swallowed that thought. She looked like an abandoned puppy.

"Victoria~" I tried to act cute.

"Okay." Victoria pulled me up to sit on the desk. She stood behind me and produced three boxes like magic.

"Look at these. Like them?"

The first box had loose diamonds, sparkling under the light.

"Wow!"

The second had a ruby watch. Exquisite.

"Pretty!"

I couldn't take my eyes off it.

The last box had a pearl necklace. Each pearl glowed.

"This is too expensive, sister."

I pushed the boxes back. "I don't need expensive jewelry!"

Victoria rubbed my head lovingly. "I might not be able to play with you like Chloe, but I can afford these. If you want anything, I can get it for you."

I bit my lip. "I know. I'll pick one."

I felt it was too flashy for a kid.

"Can't decide?"

Before I could answer, Victoria decided. "Keep them all. By the way, the ruby is the cheapest."

Watching her leave, I suddenly understood why she stopped Chloe yesterday.

The gems sparkled, pure as a sister's desire to make up for lost time.