Chapter 6
Chancey just casually and skillfully slid the dish that Yalena loved the most right in front of Quinlyn. After that, he pointed at the dish and said with a smile, “Hey, Quinlyn, this one’s really tasty. Give it a try.”
Quinlyn glanced at the chicken wings.
The Narrator said, [Chancey put Yalena’s favorite by Quinlyn. She didn’t like it but ate it anyway. Then, she had stomach pain all night in the cold guest room. Since she looked unhappy during dinner, the Guzman family disliked her even more.]
A long time has passed since the incident occurred. But hearing the Narrator’s voice in her head, Quinlyn still felt dumb.
Yalena noticed and always pulled this trick at meals. Back then, Quinlyn was too stubborn; she fell for it too many times.
Quinlyn looked at the chicken wings. She didn’t hate it, but it wasn’t her favorite. “I can’t just brush it off.” Her voice was clear and strong. Everyone at the table froze.
Chancey was the first to snap out of it, realizing Quinlyn was responding to what Evelyn had just said.
Then everyone got it, their faces turning sour. Yarden and Beatrice led the charge.
Yarden snapped, “You’re nuts!” He was afraid that Quinlyn would annoy the Guzmans. He couldn’t accept that the Guzmans went back on their word and didn’t give him a car. He wanted to use the car to attract girls.
Beatrice held back her anger and scolded Quinlyn softly, “Quinlyn, watch your words. She’s your sister. Don’t be jealous of her, right?” She was furious, her face twisted. She would like to slap Quinlyn if others weren’t around.
The Guzman family-all five of them-looked unhappy. Finding an embarrassing daughter was bad enough, and now she was causing trouble before even spending a night.
No need for the Narrator; Quinlyn knew what the Guzmans were thinking. Her lips parted as she scanned the room, a smile creeping in.
She didn’t care. She would never be as humble as before. Begging wouldn’t change a thing. She knew she had to put herself
first.
Quinlyn pushed the chicken wings away. “Mom loves Yalena, and Yalena loves this home. So why bring me back?” Her voice was soft and flat.
She added slowly, “You should pay the Chappells to take care of me. Or just say my real parents are dead. You searched around, found out they had a daughter, so you adopted me. Wouldn’t that be better?”
“Bastard! How dare you say that?” To everyone’s surprise, it was Graham who snapped.
Graham was a top businessman; his anger erupted suddenly. His eyes burned with rage. He was used to being in control, both at home and at work. Quinlyn just walked in and started trouble; he couldn’t stand her.
Seeing the familiar anger and disgust on his face, Quinlyn felt nothing. In fact, she thought it was normal. She stood up slowly, tilting her head. “Just predict.” She didn’t seem bothered by Graham’s authority at all.
That made Graham even angrier. He slammed the table hard.
The slamming sound was shocking. Graham had raised three kids and had never been this furious before. Something stirred inside Yalena. She thought, ‘They all hate Quinlyn so much. Maybe they will kick her out, push her away from my
home.’
The idea popped up and spread quickly. Right away, Yalena jumped up and grabbed Graham. “Dad, Quinlyn just got back; she’s probably upset. Don’t yell at her, or she might not like us.”
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Chapter 6
Graham, who was used to an easy life, had never felt so disrespected. He didn’t expect to be stuck with a rebellious daughter at his age. Right then, he snapped, “Don’t like it here? Then leave!”
He looked up and saw Quinlyn staring back with clear eyes.
Quinlyn had light, narrow eyes. Without makeup, she looked cool; with it, she was alluring.
Her cold eyes showed she got it all. She seemed to have seen it coming, not a hint of jealousy-none at all.
That look cooled Graham’s anger like cold water. He took a deep breath. “Kid, what’s on your mind? Just say it. We’re family
here.”
Quinlyn was completely surprised.
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Her surprised look made Graham feel guilty. He then realized. Growing up in a tough home, Quinlyn was naturally sensitive. Seeing them all fuss over Yalena but ignore her, she just couldn’t hold back.
Quinlyn froze and stepped back on instinct. She tried to recall how long it took in her previous life to win Graham over. Actually, it was not long.
When Quinlyn agreed to live at the Guzman residence as a foster daughter, Graham patted her shoulder and said, “Sorry you went through that, kid. You’re a great sister.” At the time, she felt wronged but kept it in and took the praise.
But now, the meal was not even over, and Graham was playing nice. Quinlyn almost laughed but felt a wave of confusion inside.
Quinlyn’s confused stare made Graham, even the Guzman brothers, uneasy. Under that look, they felt like terrible people.
Next second, Quinlyn pulled herself together and warned in her heart, ‘Don’t be stupid. Focus on changing your fate! Or you’re done.’
After a pause, she said, “Yancy borrowed these clothes from a neighbor. Dad, buy new ones tomorrow to return them. And I don’t like that cold guest room either.”
She added, pointing at the chicken wings, “These are good, Chancey. Have more.” Then she sat down.
Graham was stunned. He didn’t expect that after all that drama, all Quinlyn asked for were clothes and a room. But then he sensed something off. Evelyn, Yalena, even Yancy, avoided his eyes.
Looking back at Quinlyn’s clothes-simple, elegant, not Yalena’s style, Graham got it all at once.
