Chapter 28: Not Worth It
Bradley didn't understand Sierra's distress over switching majors. “Mom, forget about her. Denny’s getting discharged today. I’ll go pick her up.” Eleanor replied immediately, her focus shifting to her daughter, “Good, hurry up. Don’t make her wait too long.”
Denise was quickly brought home. The Xander family had gathered, even Franklin. Scanning the room, Franklin’s face darkened when he noticed someone missing. “Where is she?” he asked coldly. No one responded. His expression turned even uglier. “I don’t even know why you brought her back.”
Bradley felt a pang of discomfort. “Dad, she’s still our sister.” Franklin said impatiently, shooting Bradley a sharp look, “I already made a public statement severing ties with her. You’re too soft.” Eleanor cut in, “Enough. I gave birth to her too, don’t be like that.” She turned to Denise, her expression softening. “Denny, how are you feeling?”
Denise immediately clung to Eleanor’s arm. “Mom, I’m much better now. Don’t worry.” Then, she turned to Franklin. “Dad, don’t say things like that. If my sister hears, she’ll be upset.” Franklin’s expression eased slightly, though he was still displeased. “She’s the one who’s being disrespectful. I’ve been home for days. Has she even shown her face once?”
Denise turned to Bradley, looking worried. “Bradley, have you still not been able to reach her?” “What if something happened to her?” Evan interjected, “She’s fine.” He had been there that day; he’d seen Sierra’s furious expression firsthand. She wasn’t in trouble; she was just angry.
“Well, that’s a relief,” Denise said, letting out a soft sigh. “But we still need to find her quickly.” Bradley felt a headache coming on. “I’ll bring her back later.”
At the hospital, Sierra finished wiping down her grandmother and helped her eat a little before getting ready to leave. These past few days, she had spent most of her time in the lab; any time not spent there was spent with her grandmother.
As she stepped out of the hospital, she immediately noticed a familiar Maybach parked outside. The window rolled down. Bradley looked at her impatiently. “Get in.” Sierra had no intention of acknowledging him, but then he said, “Do you want to go back to prison?” She met his gaze for a moment, then got into the car.
After searching for her for days, Bradley’s tone wasn’t pleasant. “Dad’s back. Watch your attitude when you go home.” Thinking about her temper, he added, “And remember, I can send you back anytime.” Sierra’s lips curled into a mocking smile. Her dear brother—he always knew just how to threaten her.
The gift she had prepared should have arrived by now. She wondered if they’d like it. When they arrived at the Xander home, the atmosphere was warm and lively. The moment Sierra walked in, Denise rushed over to grab her hand, but she quickly dodged. Franklin’s expression soured. “What kind of attitude is that?”
Sierra met his gaze and replied calmly, “You misunderstand, Chairman Xander. I was only afraid of dirtying Miss Xander’s hands. After all, I come from such a filthy place. Who knows if I’m carrying anything contagious?” The room went silent. Franklin’s expression changed slightly. He remembered saying those exact words back when Sierra had first been brought home. His long-lost daughter had never been met with affection, only disgust. That was why she had once asked Eleanor if they hated her. Now, looking at her, there was none of the admiration or longing she once had in her eyes, only cold indifference.
Franklin let out a sharp breath. “You’re holding a grudge?” Bradley and the others immediately tensed, afraid Sierra would talk back to Franklin. Bradley was just about to pull her aside when she spoke. “No, I don’t hold a grudge.” They exhaled in relief. Sierra admired them too much to truly hate them; she was just acting out, trying to get their attention.
Franklin thought the same and was about to speak when Sierra added, “Wasting my time on you isn’t worth it.” “Sierra!” Bradley instinctively called her name. Did she even realize what she was saying? He turned to look at Franklin, and just as expected, his father’s expression had completely darkened.