Chapter 47
Chapter 47
Lydia’s words hit everyone like a sudden realization.
After Emily was sent away, Charles had sworn he wouldn’t set foot in the Bennett residence until she was brought home. Even during Christmas, when the whole family visited him at the hospital, he’d refused to return.
But today, about a month after Emily returned, Charles had shown up out of nowhere. And right then, he’d walked in on her being bullied.
From everyone’s expressions, Lydia could tell they’d caught on to exactly what she wanted. She quickly added, “Look, Emily could’ve just said she didn’t want to apologize. I wouldn’t have cared. Why stir up all this anger?
“If Sean hadn’t flown off the handle, he never would’ve hit her. And then Grandpa wouldn’t have ended up in the hospital.”
“She did this on purpose!” Gale was already fuming. He grabbed onto what he believed was the truth and yelled, “She deliberately provoked us, so Charles would walk in and see us hitting her.”
Emma nodded hard, agreeing. “Sean got seriously hurt and didn’t even pass out. But she faints? Total fake. She must’ve called Charles ahead of time. Planned this whole thing perfectly.”
Even behind his gold-rimmed glasses, Andrew’s disgust was obvious. “Can’t believe she’s gotten this sneaky.”
Lucas stayed silent. He just pressed a hand to his cheek, which had gone numb from Charles’s slap, a flicker of confusion crossing his face.
He thought, ‘Emily doesn’t even own a phone. There’s no way she could’ve called Grandpa. And if Grandpa hadn’t walked in, that ashtray would’ve smashed right into her head. She wouldn’t risk her life just to stage some drama.’
Just then, Lydia darted over, her face tight with worry. “Lucas, are you okay? Does your cheek hurt?”
Lucas jolted back to the moment. Everyone else was consumed by their anger, while only Lydia came to check on him. His heart softened, and his resentment toward Emily grew even stronger.
‘They’re both my sisters. Emily even lived under the same roof with me for eighteen years, but she never cared about me even half as much as Lydia did, he thought..
Lydia looked at his face, her voice filled with concern. “Emily is terrible. If she’s mad at me, she should’ve come after me directly. Why drag Grandpa into beating you up like this?”
Lucas touched his swollen cheek, anger flaring up. ‘Grandpa never hit me before, so why now? Emily must’ve turned him against me.’
“Oh my God, the flesh on my hand is going to fall off. Mom, hurry and take me to the hospital,” Sean suddenly screamed, staring at his blood-soaked arm.
Only then did the angry group snap out of it and realize they needed to rush Sean and Lucas to the hospital.
At the mention of the hospital, a flicker of light crossed Lydia’s eyes. Suddenly, she grabbed her chest with a pained look, her body swaying like she was about to pass out.
Andrew caught her just in time. “Lydia, what’s wrong?” he asked, his voice tight with worry.
Lydia said softly, “I got so scared. It’s not Emily’s fault; I’m just too weak.”
“Of course it’s her fault,” Emma cut in with a worried expression. “If she hadn’t taken your place, you never would’ve ended
1/2
Chapter 47
up out there getting so weak. Lydia, don’t worry. I’ll take you to the hospital right away.”