Chapter 241: A Fresh Start
When Sean told Bradley that Sierra had given back the apartment, Bradley froze. Then, slowly, he lowered his head. Back when he gave her that apartment, what had he been thinking? Maybe there had been a flicker of guilt—an attempt at making amends. But even then, he had given it with an air of superiority. At the time, one apartment meant nothing to him. He had thought that by giving Sierra a place to stay, the Xander family’s debt to her would be reduced. Yet now, that same apartment had become their lifeline. He couldn’t even muster the pride to refuse it.
Now he understood what it meant to have nothing. His mother was gravely ill. Evan’s situation was still uncertain. He and their father were locked away with no power to change anything. It was here, in this cold, suffocating place, that he finally realized that Sierra had spent three whole years in a hell worse than this, and she had been completely alone. For the first time, Bradley saw how wrong he had been. For years, he had convinced himself that Sierra was the one holding a grudge, that she was being petty. He had never stopped to consider that it was they who had broken her heart first.
After a long silence, he finally said to Sean, “Tell her Bradley was wrong.” Sean pressed his lips together. “She probably doesn’t care anymore.” Sierra never found out about the brothers’ conversation. And even if she had, she wouldn’t have cared. She was busy packing the last of her things. After over twenty years in Maviston, all she had to show for it were two suitcases. Apart from her grandmother, there was nothing in this city worth holding onto. Before leaving, she reached out to Bella. Since adding each other on social media, Bella would occasionally message her, and the two had grown closer.
Now that she was leaving, Sierra wanted to meet for one last meal. Bella was reluctant to say goodbye; making a true friend wasn’t easy. But she knew the capital would give Sierra far more opportunities. “I’m actually trying to apply for my PhD there,” Bella admitted. “If I get in, we might run into each other again. You better look after me when that happens.” Bella’s cheerful personality was something Sierra had always liked. They talked for a long time, until it got late and they finally said their goodbyes. Johnathan had already called Sierra several times.
When she finally returned, he couldn’t help but comment, “Enjoyed your chat?” Sierra smiled. “Yeah, Johnathan, it’s rare for me to have a real friend.” She wasn’t exaggerating. As a child, no one wanted to play with her. After moving in with the Xanders, she had been ignored at best, mistreated at worst. Even at school, she had been nothing more than Denise’s shadow. Denise never acknowledged their relationship. To everyone else, Sierra was just a glorified servant. Denise played the innocent, and Sierra’s quiet nature only pushed people further away. For so many years, Bella was the first true friend she had made.
Hearing this, Johnathan felt an odd discomfort settle in his chest. He was realizing more and more—Sierra affected his emotions far too easily. It was such a simple statement, and yet it made him deeply unsettled. He had been annoyed that she came home late, but now he couldn’t even bring himself to stay mad. “From now on, you’ll have plenty of friends.” His attempt at comforting her was a little awkward. Sierra chuckled. “Mr. Johnathan, you sound like an old man giving advice.”
Johnathan’s eyes darkened. Was she calling him old? Without another word, he picked her up and carried her straight to the bedroom. He was going to show her exactly how young he was.
On the day of their departure, Sierra had no regrets. She took one last look at Maviston. Then, with Johnathan and Dickson at her side, she left. A new city, a new life. She’d be lying if she said she wasn’t nervous, but looking at Johnathan beside her, she felt like there was nothing to worry about. Johnathan had made all the arrangements in advance. The moment they landed, Mateo was waiting for them. “Everyone else was busy, so here I am,” he said with a grin. “Ma’am, let me take that.” He quickly grabbed Sierra’s luggage and led the way, chatting with Dickson as they walked. Johnathan had already purchased two apartments near Sierra’s school: a larger one for them, and a smaller two-bedroom unit that Sierra had personally bought. Both were in the same residential complex, just in different buildings—exactly as they had agreed. Sierra had planned to help Dickson settle in first, but before she could, Mateo stepped up. “Ma’am, leave it to me. I handled everything, so I know where everything is.” He turned to Dickson. “Come on, kid. Follow me.”