Chapter 60: The One Who Owes

Denise felt relieved when she heard their explanation. Her eyes flickered as she spoke. "Then I’ll go see her. She’s my grandmother too. And with Bradley and Evan here, I’m not worried. Most importantly, if this can bring my sister home, I’d do anything.”

Bradley let out a sigh, his expression full of warmth. “Denise, you’re always so considerate. If only Sierra had half your understanding, none of this would have happened. Sometimes… I feel like giving up on her.”

Denise quickly clung to his arm, her voice soft and sweet. “Bradley, don’t say that! She’s our sister!”

“Exactly. That’s the only reason I’ve tolerated her for this long.”

“Come on, let’s go in.”

The three of them entered the room. Denise’s eyes immediately landed on Sierra, who was calmly peeling fruit for her grandmother. A flicker of disgust flashed through her eyes before she turned toward the old woman in the wheelchair. She wasn’t unfamiliar with this person. She had already looked into the Coleman family’s background a long time ago. When she first found out about them, she had nearly broken down. She couldn’t accept it—her real parents were those people? A gambling-addicted father, a weak-willed mother, and a disabled grandmother. That wasn’t her real family. It couldn’t be. She was Denise Xander. She had nothing to do with them. She refused to acknowledge any connection. She was the Xander family’s daughter. It was a shame—she had been so close to making it permanent.

“Ma’am.” Denise hesitated before addressing her. She couldn’t bring herself to call this woman Grandma. Her real grandmother was a wealthy, dignified woman. Not this…

Sierra saw the disappointment in her grandmother’s eyes. She frowned and said coldly, “Denise, have you forgotten? You’re James and Yulia’s daughter. This is your biological grandmother.” Her grandmother had spent years hoping to meet Denise, yet Denise had never once come to see her.

The moment Sierra finished speaking, Denise immediately shrank back, looking frightened as she hid behind Bradley. Bradley’s first instinct was to snap, “Why are you scaring her?” But as soon as the words left his mouth, he caught Sierra’s mocking gaze and realized—Sierra hadn’t actually said anything wrong. She had only spoken the truth. But he was used to it… used to seeing Denise afraid and immediately protecting her. Used to scolding Sierra without thinking. Had this happened before? He couldn’t remember. But it must have. Many times. Because Denise was always so timid, always needing to be sheltered.

Seeing Bradley’s blatant favoritism, Sierra’s grandmother’s heart ached even more. She held onto Sierra’s hand and said slowly, “It’s fine. The Xander family is clearly out of our league. I won’t force her to call me anything. But some things still need to be said. You may not acknowledge me, but that doesn’t change the truth. You are my granddaughter, whether you like it or not. Just as Sierra is your sister, whether you accept it or not. If you make mistakes, you should take responsibility. Stop using me as leverage to threaten Sierra. If I hear about it again, I’ll come find you instead. After all, if we’re talking about duty, it should be you taking care of me, not her.”

Denise’s face went white. Her lips moved, as if to argue, but Evan quickly interrupted. “That’s enough, ma’am.” Her grandmother met his cold gaze with an unwavering one of her own. “You’ve all bullied my Sierra. Have any of you ever asked how she feels? If she hurts? You never treated her like a real sister. So don’t expect her to do anything for you or the Xander family. She doesn’t owe you anything. Her parents gave her life, and she paid for it with three years in prison. That debt is settled. Don’t ever try to use her again. And especially you…” Her sharp gaze fell on Denise. “She never owed you anything. It’s you who owes her. The entire Coleman family owes her.”

By the time the Xander siblings left the hospital, none of them looked good. Denise’s face was particularly pale. For the first time, she felt truly unsettled. But this time, Bradley and Evan didn’t seem to notice. They didn’t feel like they had done anything wrong. And yet—the image of that old woman shielding Sierra behind her… it stuck with them. And neither of them could say why.

When the Flame of Love Fades