“Ranita, it’s great that you and Ayaan are back!” Jedidiah said as he handed her a cup of water. “You don’t look too good, and did you hurt your hand?”
Ranita shook her head. “It’s just a scratch, nothing serious.”
After a moment of silence, Ranita bit her lip and asked, “Brother, did you tell Mom and Dad about Brendon?”
“I didn’t go into details. They heard about your divorce and having Ayaan alone so they focused on the child instead. Then they got mad at me for keeping it from them and beat me up!”
Hearing this made Ranita feel even more guilty.
“I’m sorry, brother…”
“I’m your brother and family so there’s no need to apologize,” Jedidiah smiled slightly. “You know how our parents are – always optimistic people. Besides, you’re young and beautiful so finding someone else won’t be difficult.” He paused before teasingly saying, “I think Dr. Pearson is pretty good too; he should like you two as well! You should consider him.”
Thinking of Steve made Ranita feel grateful.
“If Dr. Pearson knew that you guys thought highly of him like this, he would definitely be very happy but right now he is very busy.”
Changing the subject improved the atmosphere significantly.
“Tomorrow Dad is having surgery, and Chole will be there too…” Jedidiah’s tone became somber as he mentioned Chole. “I will talk to her properly and ask her to control her temper tomorrow. And please try to avoid conflicts with her as much as possible.”
“Ranita… I’m sorry for always making you give in,” Jedidiah said with a tight-lipped expression.
Ranita pursed her lips.
When Ranita was fifteen, her world turned upside down. Her beloved parents became foster parents, and the missing true Miss Bowman was brought back.
She remembered it vividly, the first time she saw Chole. Chole was smiling at her, but when she turned around, she whispered in her ear, “Ranita, I don’t want you to be my sister. Now that Mom and Dad don’t need you as a replacement anymore, you can get out of the family!” Chole, only a few days older than her, was at the innocent and carefree age of fifteen, but her eyes were full of resentment and hostility.
And Alexia, who had just brought back their biological child, gave most of her motherly love and attention to Chole out of guilt.
Of course, if things were that simple…
“Both Dad and Mom know that you are being treated unfairly. But… Chole’s condition…” Jedidiah trailed off.
“Brother, I understand clearly, so you don’t need to apologize to me. I won’t have any conflicts with her in front of Mom and Dad,” Ranita assured him.
Seeing Ranita’s dejected expression, Jedidiah couldn’t help but explain, “Ranita… forget it…”
He had initially wanted to ask Ranita to take Ayaan back to live with the Bowman family, but she couldn’t get along with Chole. If they lived together, conflicts would inevitably arise.
Jedidiah discarded the idea.
At night, after putting Ayaan to sleep, Ranita was about to go to bed when her phone chimed.
‘Allen’ was looking for her on Facebook. “Ranita, are you asleep?”
“Not yet!” Ranita replied with a voice message. “What’s up? I’m in Steland with Ayaan for some business. I might have to stay here for a while. If you happen to come to Steland on a business trip, give me a call.”
“What are you doing in Steland?”
Ranita thought for a moment and replied, “My dad is in the hospital and is going to have heart surgery. I have to wake up early tomorrow to go to the hospital. I’m going to sleep now. Goodnight.”