Chapter 117: Baking Bonds

“Let me think,” Sierta murmured, needing to devise a foolproof plan.

Seeing her considering the issue, Jonathan flashed a satisfied smile. “Remember, you can always ask for my help if you need it.” He planned to send Dickson away, far away, to diminish his importance in Sierra’s heart.

When Sierra returned home, Dickson hadn’t yet rested and relaxed only upon seeing her.

“Sierra, you’re back? Are you hungry? Want to try some cookies I baked today?” Dickson eagerly spoke to Sierra, truly treating her like his own big sister now.

Sierra wasn’t hungry, but she nodded anyway. “Sure, I’ll try some.” This was Abigail’s idea—to give Dickson something to do, to distract him. Abigail had discussed it with her; Dickson didn’t know what to do, so she suggested he learn to make snacks, so she would have something to eat when she came home hungry. Abigail said she had only suggested it, but Dickson was so happy to do it, showing how important she was to him. “I’ll go get them.”

Dickson happily went off and soon placed the cookies in front of Sierra. Looking at Sierra with a face begging for praise, Sierra didn’t skimp on expressing her liking for the cookies, and indeed, Dickson was thrilled.

“I made some sugar-free ones; you can take them to Grandma at the hospital. She can eat those.”

“Okay.”

Sierra could feel how dependent Dickson was on her and Grandma; his life now revolved around them. What would happen if I sent him away now?

Dickson, very sensitive, quickly picked up on her mood, cautiously asking, “Sierra, is something wrong?”

Sierra considered her words carefully and then said, “I have something I want to discuss with you. I’ve got some things coming up, and I might not be home much, so I was thinking…”

She hadn’t finished her sentence when Dickson interrupted, panic in his voice, “Sierra, are you trying to send me away? Do you also think I’m…dirty?”

“What are you talking about?” Sierra frowned at Dickson. “I’ve told you not to say things like that. You’re not dirty; you’re great, you’re my brother.”

Dickson managed a forced smile, clearly not quite believing her, leaving Sierra no choice but to tell him the truth. “I offended someone today, and I’m afraid you might get dragged into it.”

Dickson immediately became anxious. “Sierra, are you okay?” He felt somewhat guilty; he was a man, yet he always hid behind Sierra. If he were braver, stronger, could he protect Sierra then?

Seeing his emotional state, Sierra quickly reassured him, “I’m fine; it’s that person who’s in trouble. I hurt him, and I’m afraid he might try to retaliate against you instead.”

He had first suffered from guests’ harsh treatment at Brendan’s, and then, after being toyed with for a week, he was released. Later, that beast Brendan also set his sights on him. Sierra dared not imagine what it would be like for Dickson to encounter Brendan.

“I’m not afraid! I’ll protect you!” Dickson said firmly. “Starting tomorrow, I’ll go out with you and come back with you.”

Sierra didn’t know what to say, only feeling a deep sense of gratitude. She knew how much Dickson resisted going outside, but hearing that she might be in danger, he was determined to protect her. She had lived for over twenty years without ever feeling the warmth of family; the warmth she felt was from those with no blood ties to her.

She couldn’t help but hug Dickson tightly, her voice choked with emotion. “No need, just stay at home until I resolve this. Listen to me, I don’t want anything to happen to you; I only have Grandma and you.”

If initially helping Dickson and acknowledging him as her brother was out of compassion, seeing in him a reflection of her past self, then at this moment, Sierra truly regarded Dickson as her own brother. She had three biological brothers, but none of them loved or cared for her; she didn’t care anymore; now she had her own brother.

That night, the siblings talked for a long time, and finally, Sierra patted Dickson on the shoulder, telling him to go rest.

Early the next morning, Sierra left the house. Although she had told Dickson to stay home and assured him she would be fine, Dickson still quietly followed her. Only after watching Sierra enter the hospital did he finally breathe a sigh of relief.