Chapter 47: Misplaced Concern

“Dad, I don’t agree with the Richardson family arrangement. If we have to form a marriage alliance, I’ll marry their daughter myself.”

Bradley and the others argued noisily. Sierra had no idea what was happening downstairs. After taking a hot shower, she lay in bed, but the heat couldn’t chase away the coldness in her heart. Scenes from the day replayed in her mind over and over.

That night, she slept restlessly, haunted by nightmares. Sometimes, she saw herself locked in a dark, windowless room, subjected to cruel treatment. Other times, she saw people reaching out to her for help, their hands desperate, their cries silent. She saw 00060’s silent plea for help.

When she woke up, her body was drenched in cold sweat, and her head felt heavy. She touched her forehead—she had a slight fever. She didn’t care. After another hot shower, she went downstairs.

It was early. Normally, no one in the Xander family would be up at this hour. But to her surprise, Evan was sitting in the living room. The moment he saw her, he stood up hurriedly. “Are you heading to school? I’ll drive you.”

Sierra gave him a strange look, unsure what kind of stunt he was pulling. She ignored him and headed for the door.

Evan quickly followed. “You don’t need to worry about the Richardson family deal. We’ll take care of it. And the lab you wanted—I arranged one for you. From now on, it’s yours alone. Also, about your grandmother, Bradley and I are working on getting the best specialists for her.”

Sierra couldn’t listen anymore. She stopped in her tracks and gave Evan a baffled look. “What the hell is wrong with you?”

She had made herself crystal clear yesterday. She had thought the Xander family would finally agree and let her go today. But somehow, things had taken an unexpected turn.

Evan pressed his lips together. Clearly, saying all this was already a huge struggle for his overconfident, self-important self. But he still forced out the words: “We ignored you before. We won’t anymore. So stop saying such hurtful things. Mom and Denise cried half the night.”

Sierra almost laughed. So after everything, did they still think all she wanted was their so-called attention? The Xander family was something else—arrogant from top to bottom. Some people were born human yet didn’t even understand basic human words.

She couldn’t be bothered to argue with them anymore. If words wouldn’t work, then reality would have to do the talking. Her ride arrived. She opened the car door, got in, and left without sparing Evan another glance.

Sierra went to see her grandmother, checked on her condition, and chatted with her for a while. Just as she was about to leave, her grandmother called out to her. The old woman hesitated for a moment before finally speaking. “I got a call from your mother yesterday. She… she broke her hand.”

Sierra paused, caught off guard. “How did she break her hand?”

As soon as she asked, she realized the answer. “James?”

Her grandmother sighed. “I don’t know. She was just crying on the phone the whole time. Then she hung up, and when I tried calling back, no one answered. This morning, I tried again. Still no response. I’m worried something might’ve happened.”

She was disappointed in her daughter—angry at her for being so weak, for never standing up for herself. If Yulia had even a sliver of backbone, she wouldn’t have spent all these years being completely dominated by James.

Sierra asked flatly, “What do you want me to do?”

She had no interest in helping Yulia. That woman was beyond saving—completely useless. “Just… have someone check on her. Not you. Don’t go yourself.”

Her grandmother was afraid James would latch onto Sierra again. He was a leech—impossible to shake off. Sierra had barely managed to escape his grasp. She couldn’t be dragged back in.

“Alright, don’t worry, Grandma. I’ll find out what’s going on and let you know.” She patted her grandmother’s hand reassuringly.

Leaving the hospital, Sierra felt her dizziness getting worse. She frowned but still hailed a ride to the Coleman family home. She knocked for a long time before someone finally answered—it was Yulia’s voice. After a while, the door opened.

Sierra took one look at her mother and saw that her condition was just as serious as she’d expected. One of Yulia’s hands was bent at an unnatural angle, and she clearly hadn’t received any proper medical attention. The moment Yulia saw her, she broke down completely. Tears streamed down her face.

“Sierra, please save me. Please, I’m going to die here. He’s going to kill me.”