Chapter 4The Substitute Sister

My heart instantly leaped into my throat. I stared at him warily.

"Chloe’s surgery was successful, but she still needs to take medication for a while. So Dad was thinking..."

"Don't even think about it."

To pay for Chloe’s medical bills, we had sold everything of value in the house.

Those two gold bracelets, left by my grandmother, were the only things my mom managed to keep—and only because she fought with him so fiercely she almost jumped off a building.

They were the only memento I had left of my mother, aside from a pile of old hand-me-down clothes and shoes.

"Don't worry, once Chloe is better, Dad will definitely return them to you."

I stood up, trying my hardest to control my fury. "How will you return them? Those were left to me by my mother! Could you possibly buy the exact same ones back?"

"No, no, no," he waved his hands frantically. "Dad will buy you an even better pair."

"Get out." I pointed to the door. "Do you have any conscience at all?! For the past few years, for the sake of Chloe, what kind of life did my mom and I live?! Now she's dead, and you're still eyeing her things? Are you even human?!"

His face instantly turned cold, but a few seconds later, he was back to playing the good guy. "It's true that Dad wronged you both these past few years. But Chloe is the sister you grew up with. Are you really going to stand by and watch her die?"

"What does it matter to me if she lives or dies?!" I screamed at him, my voice cracking. "It'd be better if she did die!"

SMACK!!!

I lost my balance and crashed to the floor. The left side of my face went numb instantly, and my ears rang. It took a long time for the dizziness to fade, followed by a burning, searing pain in my cheek.

"Is that how a daughter should act?! I only came to discuss this with you because I have such a good temper."

He pushed past me, ready to search the room.

But even after tearing my room apart, he couldn't find the two bracelets.

"Where are they?"

"I sold them."

"Where's the money?"

I gave him a cold smile. "I spent it all."

"You..." He raised his hand to hit me again, but Chloe suddenly rushed in and grabbed him.

"Dad, I still have medicine left. Don't hit Serena."

I didn't know how much sincerity was in her plea, and I didn't care.

Richard Sterling pointed a trembling finger at me. "Get out of my house."

I slowly stood up, shoved my few items of clothing into my backpack, and grabbed my ID. "Did you actually think I wanted to stay in this house?"

If my mom’s memory wasn't tied to this place, I wouldn't have wanted to look at them for another second.

I slung my backpack over my shoulder and strode toward the door.

Richard yelled after me, "If you walk out that door today, don't ever think about coming back!"

"Don't worry," I said without breaking my stride. "I won't be coming back."