Chapter 3Time's Up: My Aunt Adopts Me

Hugo's temper snapped. He jabbed a finger at me and yelled, "Ivana asked you nicely. What kind of attitude is that?

"You keep saying you're in a rush to do the papers. Now she asks you to help so we can save time, and you refuse. You're just picking a fight!"

I looked at his furious face and almost laughed.

"I'm picking a fight? Dad, do you remember the last time? Last month, we were supposed to handle the papers on my birthday—two celebrations at once.

"But right before we left, Ivana said she had a headache. So, you two took her to the hospital and stayed there all day. I waited by myself until the office closed. You never showed up. When we got back, the doctor said she was only short on sleep."

Hugo's expression stiffened.

"Ivana was really in pain," he said. "We raised her for years. How were we supposed not to worry?"

I grunted in response and continued, "What about the time before that? It was a weekday. I took time off, and we agreed to leave at 9:00 am.

"Then, Ivana said she couldn't find her necklace. It was the 18th birthday gift Mom gave her."

Clara's face turned awkward. She was about to speak, but I did not let her.

I continued, "She cried and said that if she couldn't find it, it meant that she wasn't supposed to leave. She even ran to the balcony and said she'd jump from the second floor.

"The two of you panicked. You tore the house apart with her all day. At 5:30 pm, half an hour after the office closed, the necklace turned up under her pillow."

Clara gave an awkward cough and tried to smooth it over.

"That… Ivana just has a bad memory. She forgot where she put it. And she was in a fragile state. She didn't mean it. Can't you be more understanding?"

Right then, Ivana dropped into a crouch and covered her face. Then, she burst into loud sobs.

"I'm sorry… It's all my fault! Yve is right. I'm the problem. I always hold everyone back," she said. "Mom, don't worry about me. Go handle her papers.

"I know I'm a nuisance. I'll leave right now. I won't get in your way again!"

She looked like she was about to run toward the street.

Clara grabbed her and pulled her into a tight hug.

"Ivana, don't talk like that! This will always be your home!"

Hugo hurried over to comfort her too.

Then, he looked back and glared at me.

"Will you only be happy once you've ruined Ivana's life?"

The three of them wrapped their arms around one another—truly a heartwarming sight.

I didn't make a scene like I used to, and I didn't accuse them of playing favorites.

I only looked down at my phone.

It was 4:50 pm.

Ten minutes left.

Then, I put the phone away. My voice stayed even as I said, "You don't have to leave, and you don't have to apologize. You can keep taking photos. In fact, take as long as you want.

"But I won't wait anymore."

That was when my phone rang.

It was a call from Hailey Brooks, my high school classmate.

The line picked up, and a lively noise spilled through.

Hailey's voice was light with joy.

"Yve, are you done yet? We're all waiting for you in the private room! This dinner is a must. We have to celebrate you finally going home to your real family. No more suffering!"