Chapter 5
Alayna complained, “Sienna’s workbook is completely useless, and the tutor Austin found is terrible. I couldn’t answer so many questions!”
Gavin and Natalia quickly consoled her, “If you can’t answer
them, others definitely can’t either. You’re lucky, you’ll definitely get in!”
Hearing this, Alayna found some logic in their words. Her tone lightened. “You’re right. The overall quality of applicants this Christmas is low, maybe I really can get in.”
Hearing this, I couldn’t help but burst out laughing.
Alayna was already anxiously trying to reassure herself, and seeing me laugh, she found the perfect target for her frustration. She said, “Sienna, if I don’t get in, it’s definitely because of your workbook.”
With that, she rushed toward me. Just as she raised her hand to hit me, Austin immediately stopped her.
She shouted, “Ah! What are you doing, Austin!” Her scream caught the attention of students just leaving the exam room.
Austin was still in his military uniform. To avoid drawing too much attention, he loosened his grip slightly, but still shielded me completely with his body.
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Alayna rubbed her wrist, then noticed the transfer order in my hand. She mocked, “So you’re being transferred to Adak? Austin, what skills do you have besides your good looks? Your dad may be a colonel, but he never used his privilege. Yet look how you’ve turned out.”
Dylan never abused his authority, and Austin never relied on his father’s protection–these were rare qualities in military families. But in Alayna’s mouth, they became foolishness.
I couldn’t help but retort, “Alayna, whatever Austin is, he’s my husband, and you have no right to criticize him!”
Alayna was completely infuriated and struggled to come at me. She said, “Sienna, you’re defending him now! Who do you think you are to talk to me like that? Have you forgotten it was you who almost got my mom killed? Let me tell you, you’re here to repay our family! You owe us for life, you should be serving us! If you ever dare speak to me like that again, see how I’ll deal with you!”
Her eyes were bloodshot, as if she wanted to tear me apart. Austin firmly restrained her, not letting her touch even a finger
on me.
“Slap-” A red mark instantly appeared on my face. Natalia had put all her strength into that slap, and my head was still ringing.
Natalia said, “You ungrateful person, siding with outsiders
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against your sister. I should never have given birth to you!”
- 10.
left
I held my face, looking at Natalia in disbelief. I thought, “If they hate me so much, why should I care about them?”
I said, “Let’s make a deal. What will it take for you to leave me alone? You didn’t want to have me, and I’m tired of recognizing people like you as my parents!”
Gavin cursed and rolled up his sleeves, ready to teach me a lesson, but Alayna stopped him.
She said, “You asked for it! Ten thousand dollars! Mom and Dad raised you for so many Christmases, spending about ten thousand dollars on you. Pay that money back, and we’re even!”
Alayna truly had no conscience. From childhood, my clothes were always her hand–me–downs, and my meals were leftovers nobody wanted. Raising me cost less than keeping a cat. The only real expense was my high school tuition, which I only got after kneeling beside Gavin and Natalia’s bed all night begging.
I gritted my teeth and said, “Fine! I’ll give you ten thousand dollars. After that, I’m no longer part of the James family!”
Holding Austin’s hand, I walked away without looking back. No matter how Alayna shouted, I didn’t stop.
Austin said, “Sienna, I can help you figure out the ten thousand dollars, you…”
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I confidently replied, “Don’t worry about it. I have a way. Tomorrow I’ll go with you to Florida, and within half a Christmas, I’ll definitely earn ten thousand dollars!”
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Austin stared at my spirited demeanor, stunned for a moment. After a while, he said, “Okay, I believe in you. You can definitely do it.”
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