Chapter 97: A Promise for Justice
Sierra pressed her lips together, remaining silent for a long time. After a while, she turned to Jonathan, a cold glint flashing in her eyes.
โMr. Yeager, can you look into that club for me?โ
Jonathanโs gaze landed on her. โWhat are you planning to do?โ
Sierra glanced toward the bathroom door, which remained tightly shut. Her voice was firm. โNow that he calls me โsister,โ I canโt just stand by and watch him get bullied.โ
โSierra, those peopleโฆ you canโt afford to make enemies of them,โ Jonathan reminded her, acknowledging the reality of the situation.
โI know!โ Sierra let out a small laugh, her lips curling slightly upward, her eyes filled with icy resolve. โBut I still want justice for Dickson. If I canโt do it now, then Iโll do it in the future. One day, I will make them pay.โ
Jonathan watched her quietly. For a moment, he wanted to ask, Is it really worth it? To bring so much trouble upon yourself for someone who isnโt even that important to you? But looking into Sierraโs unwavering eyes, the words stuck in his throat. Instead, he sighed lightly. โBut promise me you wonโt act recklessly.โ
โDonโt worry, I know what Iโm doing.โ Sierra smiled, but instead of reassuring him, it only made Jonathan feel more uneasy.
As they spoke, the bathroom door creaked open. Dickson emerged, his face still pale, but he looked better than before. Seeing Sierra and Jonathan waiting for him, he forced a weak smile.
โSierra, Mr. Yeager. Iโm sorry for making you worry. I should have let you know where I was.โ
Sierra remained silent for a moment before speaking. โDickson, if you donโt want to smile, then donโt. Iโve told you before, weโre family. You donโt have to hide your feelings in front of me.โ
The moment she said those words, Dicksonโs eyes reddened. He lowered his head, struggling for control over his emotions. Finally, his voice choked with tears, he looked up at her and asked, โSierra, I just want to live a normal life. But why is even that so hard?โ
Sierra felt as if someone had punched her in the gut. She opened her mouth, wanting to comfort him, but no words came out. And now that he had started, Dickson could no longer hold back. Tears streamed down his face as he sobbed.
โThey lied to me. They called and told me to come pick up my unpaid wages. I went because that money was rightfully mine. But when I got thereโฆ theyโฆโ
He choked on his words, his hands clenched into fists. โI didnโt even do anything to them this time. I didnโt break anything.โ So why did they treat me like this? Is it because I have no power? Because I have no status? Because Iโm an easy target?โ
His voice grew hysterical, his body trembling violently. โThey didnโt even see me as a person! I fought back, but they just laughed. They threw money at me. I donโt want their money! I just wanted them to stop! But I didnโt even have a choice! Sierra, is this what my life is going to be like forever?โ
The room was filled with the sound of his broken sobs.
โNo,โ Sierraโs voice was low but unwavering.
Dickson didnโt respond. His eyes were dull, completely devoid of hope. Seeing him like this, Sierra saw herself from years ago.
She stepped forward, her expression serious. โDickson, do you trust me?โ
Dickson stared at her. She was smaller than him, frail-looking, as if he could snap her in half with one hand. But the determination in her eyes made him instinctively nod his head.
Sierra smiled. Then, with a firm, steady voice, she said, โBelieve me, one day, I will make them pay for what they did to you.โ
Even after Sierra reassured him, Dickson still refused to go to the hospital. She didnโt force him, instead helping him get to his room so he could rest.
Once the door closed, the smile on Sierraโs face slowly faded.
Jonathanโs voice called out softly, โSierra!โ
She turned to look at him. Her voice was calm. The questions he asked just nowโฆ they were the same ones I once asked myself.
Her left hand absentmindedly moved to touch her wrist. Jonathanโs sharp eyes followed her movement. There, on her wrist, was a faint but unmistakable scar. His brows furrowed slightly.
Sierra didnโt notice his reaction. Her voice remained light, as if she was telling someone elseโs story. โBack then, when I was being bullied, I asked myself why me? Why did I have to suffer so much? Was I really destined to live like this forever?โ
Her fingers traced the scar on her wrist. Her voice grew even softer. โAt one point, I thought leaving this world would be the only escape. I figuredโฆ no one cared about me anyway. But I survived.โ
Sierra lifted her head, meeting his gaze. โAnd when I did, I realizedโI didnโt want to die anymore.โ