Orson Perry’s face darkened with anger.
"Even if your brother is adopted, you still need to be mindful of appearances! Do you have any idea how this looks?"
"If word gets out that the real daughter of the family returned only to sleep in her brother’s room, what will people think?"
"The family’s reputation cannot be tarnished like this!"
Emily, always eager to fan the flames, quickly chimed in.
Sophia, on the other hand, looked utterly shattered. Tears streamed down her face as she sobbed bitterly.
"This is a disaster! How could my own daughter turn out like this? I don’t even want to live anymore!"
Orson’s anger flared again.
"You should be focused on your studies at your age, yet your mind is filled with improper thoughts! Get up this instant!"
I didn’t bother responding. Instead, I pulled the blanket back over myself, cocooning in warmth and tapped a few times on my phone.
The room’s lights dimmed.
A moment later, the projector flickered on.
Surveillance footage filled the screen, playing every detail, Emily leading me here, everything that had unfolded since.
I had no interest in explaining myself, but I refused to be falsely accused.
Orson and Sophia turned to Emily, their expressions shifting.
Even so, Orson clung to his stance.
"Your sister brought you here because she wanted you to have a better environment. But you should also be mindful of avoiding suspicion!"
Sophia sighed, her voice laced with disappointment.
"Raised in the countryside indeed, no manners, no consideration for others."
It finally clicked: they didn’t care about what was right or wrong. They simply didn’t like me.
But if they didn’t like me, why drag me back here?
I was frustrated, but I didn’t bother to argue.
Thankfully, Benjamin returned just in time to smooth things over.
As they left the room, I caught Orson muttering something unkind.
"You need to be more disciplined. In the future, you’ll be used for the family’s marriage alliance. If your reputation gets ruined, you’ll lose your value."
I caught a glimpse of Benjamin’s side profile as those words hit the air. His face was a mask of indifference, as though the words didn’t faze him at all as he had long since shut down.
Then, I was called downstairs for dinner.
At the dining table, Orson and Sophia sat with Emily between them, looking every bit the perfect family.
Emily played her part well, charming and saying just the right things to keep them pleased.
Every so often, Orson and Sophia glance at me, their eyes clouded with disappointment and then turn to Emily with satisfaction, as though the two of us were being endlessly compared.
Suddenly, Emily spoke, breaking the silence.
"Sister, did you attend school in the countryside?"
"I graduated," I responded absently, my mind drifting.
Orson frowned, clearly displeased.
"You’re the same age as Emily, yet she’s only in her final year of high school. How have you already graduated? What exactly did you study?"
"Computer science and welding."
I answered without hesitation, not bothering to sugarcoat it.
Orson’s hand slammed against the table, causing the dishes to rattle.
"A child of the family learning something as low-class as welding? Unacceptable!"
Sophia quickly added, "Emily is in her senior year at Charleston No.1 High School and has a good chance of getting into Northbridge University or Stanton International University. You should attend for six months too. Even if you can't get into a top school, your father and I can always donate a building to secure you a spot at a decent one."
"But I've already graduated."
I wanted to tell them I had been part of the gifted youth program at Blackwood Institute of Technology, had already graduated and was even working now. This visit was just a short break before I returned to work.
But my job was highly classified, even mentioning it was forbidden. And honestly, I couldn’t be bothered to explain.
Orson slammed the table again, his voice sharp, "Still daring to argue? I've made up my mind; you’ll report to Charleston No.1 High School tomorrow!"
So, they were sending me back to school?
I smirked to myself, remembering that the year I graduated from Blackwood Institute of Technology, I had actually visited Charleston No.1 High School as a guest instructor.
I couldn't wait to see the principal's face when he found out I was enrolling as a student.
At that moment, guests arrived, an elegant family of three. The middle-aged couple radiated wealth and sophistication while a woman about Benjamin's age accompanied them. She was undeniably attractive, though her sunken eyes and pallor suggested a life drained by indulgence.
I noticed the shift in Benjamin's demeanor when his gaze landed on her; his expression darkened like a storm gathering.
A marriage partner?
The introductions had already been made. The middle-aged couple showered Emily with adoration while the woman kept her eyes locked on Benjamin, occasionally licking her lips in a way that made my skin crawl.
Orson glanced at me, his frown deepening when he saw I hadn’t stood up. In a stern voice, he ordered, "Her name is Luna Sandoval. She will be taking the Perry name. She was abducted as a child and has just been found. She’s not familiar with proper etiquette."
Then he turned to me. "Greet them properly."
With a barely-there mutter, I offered a half-hearted, "Uncle Ryan, Aunt Anne."
Emily, ever the picture of sweetness, smiled brightly. "Sister, this is our future sister-in-law."
I shot a quick look at the woman, sleazy, her intentions obvious, before my eyes flicked to Benjamin. His face was ashen like he’d swallowed a bitter pill. Without a second thought, I stood up.
Benjamin’s eyes flickered toward me; there was something in them, almost like a silent plea for help.
I stepped forward, cupping his face gently in my hands and kissed him.
The room froze in disbelief.
I straightened up, casually resting my hand on Benjamin’s shoulder, then turned to the others. “Allow me to introduce Benjamin, my boyfriend.”
Silence.
