Chapter 28

Orion’s gaze was unfathomable. “You trust me this much? Not afraid I might fool you?”

“What’s there for you to fool me out of?”

Lemira looked at him squarely. “You’re pretty much my only friend right now.”

Orion’s gaze faltered briefly. A friend? His lips curled slightly, then he adopted a stern facade. “Don’t just trust people willy-nilly in the future, especially men.”

“Got it. I’m off.”

Lemira waved, slinging her backpack over her shoulder as she left the infirmary. Orion remained seated long after she’d gone, his eyes falling on the cake on the desk. Memories of a car crash, and a ruined birthday cake, flashed through his mind. His head began to throb uncontrollably. He hadn’t touched cake since the crash.

After a while, he received a call. “Mr. Everhart, Ms. Langston has safely arrived home.” Only then did Orion hang up, his silhouette stretching long in the setting sun.

Back at the Langston residence, Lemira found Lucian sitting on the sofa, obviously waiting for her. She greeted him without emotion. “Lucian.”

Lucian looked up at his distant, defiant sister, unsure what to say. He’d suspected her of cheating when her grades suddenly improved. But her achievements were genuine. He wondered how such a drastic change could occur after years of mediocre performance.

Lucian realized Lemira had truly changed; it wasn’t just a phase. He felt both happy and lost. The sister who used to revolve around him seemed gone. She was genuinely making an effort, not just being stubborn.

He began to reflect, realizing he’d viewed Lemira through a skewed lens and had been neglectful of her feelings, especially regarding Alaric’s actions at school. Could this be why she’d changed so much?

Lucian’s voice was hesitant. “Back so late? Were you at the public library again?”

“Yeah.”

Lucian sighed. “Isn’t it better here? It’s not safe out there. Stop going to those libraries to study.”

Lemira pressed her lips; there it was again, decisions made for her.

Lucian continued, “Evelina’s grades have dropped badly, so I hired a tutor for her. You should join in. You can help her; you’re classmates. When she was absent, you could take detailed notes for her.”

Lemira’s gaze turned scornful. So, it was all for Evelina’s sake; that’s why she was expected to study at home.

Lemira stood tall. “I don’t want that.”

“Lemmy, I know Alaric was wrong, but you’ve proved you’re capable. Eve is our family. Her drop in rank is because of the match, and since you won’t join the team, you should make some sacrifice, assisting Eve with her grades. You have the experience.”

Lemira found it absurd. “I refuse!”

Alaric burst out, pointing at her. “Lemira, have you no conscience? After all these years, and you’ve contributed nothing! How can you be so shameless?”

Lemira found it ironic. In her past life, she’d strived for the Langstons, honing her gaming skills to lead the team to victory. And what did she get in return? Evelina’s few tears easily replaced her, taking the championship spot. This life, she wouldn’t make the same mistake.

She responded coolly, “Fine. From today on, I’ll move out of the Langston house and not use a dime of the Langstons’ money.” She thought, Let’s sever ties now.