Chapter 5
His mom had been a top student at a prestigious university, while I had barely made it through high school. My grades were not good either.
However, I was not going to give up.
From that day on, I started studying Ronan’s textbooks. He went to a fancy private school, and even though it was only elementary level, a lot of it was tough for me.
Three months later, when Ronan came home with a failing math test, I gently offered, “Want me to help you go over it?”
He looked at me doubtfully. “Do you know maths?”
“I’ve been studying,” I said. I pointed to a question on his paper. “You mixed up the formula on this one.”
Ronan’s eyes widened, and for the first time, he looked right at me. “How… How do you know that?”
“I study at night,” I said softly. “I might not be as smart as your mom, but I can help you now.”
He was quiet for a moment, and then suddenly asked, “Why are you being so nice to me?”
“Because…” I smiled. “We’re a family now.”
After that, his attitude toward me began to shift.
He stopped tracking mud through the living room on purpose.
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Moreover, he started asking me the occasional question about schoolwork.
Once, when he had a fever, I stayed up all night beside him with a damp towel. The next morning, he quietly said, “Thank you.”
However, Collin always kept me at arm’s length.
He gave me plenty of money, but never brought me to any formal events. He remembered my birthday, but always gave me gifts I did not like. He was passionate in bed, but never gave me so much as a hug when we woke up.
i full
all was no
I knew I had all these bottled–up feelings, but there was no one I could
After my family got that big sum of money b
younger brother changed completely. He started living it up, eating and drinking like money was endless, and even picked up gambling.
The money disappeared fast. In the end, they even had to sell the house.
They kept coming to me for more money. However, I could not bring myself to ask Collin for help–not with my pride in the way. I did not want him to know what kind of mess my family was in.
So I started saving little by little from the allowance Collin gave me. Thankfully, he was always generous with that.
Even so, if I did not give enough, they would get angry.
My dad would say, “Don’t forget who introduced you to Mr. Whelan!”
My mom would say, “If we hadn’t pushed you to marry him, would you be living this rich life now? Don’t forget where you came from!”
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Even my leech of a brother would glare and sneer, “Wow, look at you now. Your brother was nearly beaten up over debt, and you just sat there doing nothing. You’ve really changed. I almost don’t recognize you anymore.”
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