Chapter 5
Chapter 5
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A man in a sleek black suit walked in. He bent down and gently lifted me as I cried.
“I’m here now. Don’t be afraid.”
Coming back to reality hit me hard. I was confused, lost, and crushed by the pain of losing my father and grandmoth- er. All those emotions slammed into me at once.
I leaned into his chest and broke down. “Dad and Grandma are gone. I couldn’t save them. Abel! I’m so useless!”
I screamed my heart out like I was trying to let go of all the pain from both lives.
Abel Ximenez didn’t say anything. He just kept gently patting my back, trying to soothe me.
Little by little, my eyes shut, and I drifted off into deep sleep.
J
He looked at me with a soft, sorrowful gaze. He held me closer and whispered, “I’m taking you home.”
When I opened my eyes, I was on a cozy, big bed, surrounded by things I didn’t recognize.
I hurriedly got up, looking around in confusion.
I remembered being in my grandmother’s ward. Where was I? Where was she?
Panic flooded in instantly.
I rushed out and ran straight into Abel.
“Abel?” The moment I saw his face, I lost control. Tears poured down as I cried. “Abel, please help me.”
I sobbed so hard I could barely breathe. Abel instinctively reached out his pinky to wipe away my tears-just like he used to do when we were kids.
“Don’t cry. Just tell me what happened.” He looked like he was hurting for me.
I finally pulled myself together and followed him to the study. I curled up on the couch like always, holding a warm mug of milk and staring blankly into nothing.
“Abel, he killed Dad and Grandma.
“I couldn’t do anything. I failed to protect them. Dad was lying there in blood, not breathing. Justin tortured Grandma. Her heart monitor went flat.
“This is all my fault!”
My jaw tightened.
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Chapter 5
“Justin planned everything! I heard the whole thing!”
I scrubbed my tears away and clung to Abel’s sleeve.
“Please, Abel. Help me make him pay.”
288 Vouchers
My heart burned with hatred for Justin. But the person I hated even more was me. I was too useless. Even after get- ting a second chance, I still failed to protect my family.
Now, all I could do was lean on my stepbrother, whom I hadn’t seen for a long time.
I looked up at him.
There was a bit of sadness in his eyes. He patted my head like he always used to, and his voice was steady and strong like nothing bad could touch me if he was there.
“Don’t stress. I’ve got your back.” Once he said that, I finally felt calm.
If Abel said he’d do something, he always meant it.
“Thanks, Abel.”
He froze for a second when I said that. Then, he opened a drawer and pulled out a letter, looking kind of emotional.
“I figured you’d already made your choice when you sent this to me.”
His words made my cheeks burn. I reached out and gently linked my fingers with his.
“I wasn’t planning to take it back.
“I’ve made up my mind—and I’m sticking to it. I just wanted to say thank you.”
His expression softened, and the sadness in his eyes disappeared.
Abel gently patted my back. “Lillian, I’m so happy.”
