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Chapter 1 Awakening "Nathan, you seriously went too far today. Do you even realize that if Ryan didn't happen to have the same blood type as Rosie, and if he hadn't kept an emergency blood bag in his car, she might not have made it?" Matthew Brooks said. He looked at his younger brother, Nathan, who was standing expressionlessly in front of him, then at the pale girl still unconscious in the hospital bed. When he found out Nathan had chosen Chloe, their adopted sister, without a second thought, even though there wasn't enough blood for two people, he couldn't stay quiet anymore. 'Rosie is our sister by blood, after all,' he thought. Earlier today, Chloe and Rosie had gone back to school together to grab their things. The family figured one day wouldn't hurt, so they didn't bother to let them take separate cars. But on the way back, Chloe and Rosie got caught in a multi-car pileup, and both of them were hurt. The hospital was running low on blood, which was only enough for one person. Nathan didn't even hesitate. He picked Chloe. Matthew knew deep down that he and his family probably would've made the same choice. But he also knew that when Rosie found out, she'd be unhappy and make a scene, making things hard for everyone. He thought, 'If I talk some sense into Nathan now and then smooth things over with Rosie later, maybe this whole mess will blow over. 'If Ryan hadn't shown up at the hospital to visit his grandfather, Rosie could have died. When he overheard the blood shortage and realized he and Rosie shared the same blood type, he donated the emergency bags he kept in his car. 'But now, we owe the Sterling family. And we can't casually pay back a favor to people like them.' "She's alive, isn't she? It was a little risky, but it's not like she was about to die. Why are you freaking out? "And let's be real. If it were one of you guys, you would've picked Chloe, too," Nathan said, his voice cold. His narrow eyes were full of sarcasm and impatience. He thought, 'Chloe has always been fragile. Of course, I'd choose to save her first. Rosie grew up in some small, poor town and was tough as nails. Nothing would happen if she waited a bit longer. 'Chloe was originally brought home to cheer Mom up. But after all these years, she's family now.' Nathan couldn't help feeling annoyed. 'Rosie had been gone for so many years, so why did she have to suddenly show up? Why did she come back now and mess up our happy life?' he complained in his mind. "Say something nice to her when she wakes up. If she finds out you chose Chloe over her without even thinking, she'll feel hurt. Don't let this turn into some big drama," Matthew said. Matthew was frustrated with Nathan's attitude, but honestly, he agreed deep down. Rosie was fine now, so no harm was done. Rosie'd only been back home for two years and never really fit in anyway. Chloe, who'd grown up with the brothers, was the one who actually felt like family to them. "Okay, I heard you. Are you done? I'm going to see Chloe. She'll get scared when she wakes up alone," Nathan said, waving his hand impatiently. He didn't care about what Matthew said. Rosie didn't matter to him. He thought, 'I'll toss a few words her way later, and she'll be so grateful that she won't know what to do with herself. No way she'd get unhappy. 'And what right does she have to be upset anyway? Chloe is delicate, so she deserved to be saved first. Rosie is strong and could wait.' "Yeah, let's go. Chloe will get scared if she wakes up and we're not there," Matthew said. His usually distant eyes softened a little at the mention of Chloe. The two of them turned and took the elevator up to the top floor, heading straight for the VVIP suite. They completely forgot that Rosie was lying alone in a VIP room not far away. No one was watching over her. No one even thought about whether she'd be scared when she opened her eyes. Maybe they figured she was still out cold and wouldn't wake up anytime soon. They didn't bother keeping their voices down. They had no idea every word carried right into her room. Rosie lay there in bed, her thick bangs covering half her face so you couldn't see her eyes. Her chin was sharp, her nose was small and straight, and her lips were pale. Tears slipped from the corners of her eyes, tracing down her cheeks, past her ears, soaking into her hair, and finally into the pillow beneath her. Her lashes fluttered. She opened her eyes, which were swollen, hollow, and empty. She stared at the white ceiling above her. As the words she'd heard after waking played back in her mind, a bitter, sarcastic smile touched her lips. She thought, 'So this is my family, the people I've given everything to. In their eyes, I'd never measure up to Chloe. Whenever it came down to a choice, I was the one they dropped without a second thought. 'But I'm their sister by blood. Is it because I'm the so-called villainess that everyone is supposed to hate me?' The car accident had made Rosie realize something. She was the villainess in a novel where the heroine was the family's darling, and everyone doted on her endlessly. Chloe, the girl who took Rosie's place in the family and claimed her parents as her own, was actually the heroine. When Rosie was two, her mother, Harley, took her to an amusement park, and Rosie got lost. The shock hit Harley hard. She ended up sick in bed. Rosie's father, Phillip, felt so bad that he talked to his four sons and decided to adopt a little girl to help Harley feel better. That girl was Chloe, the so-called beloved heroine in the novel. In the story, Rosie was initially invisible and disliked. Whenever Chloe needed to feel loved, Rosie'd be pulled out and pushed down. She was nothing but a tool for Chloe to use to prove that the Brooks family still adored her and always would. Honestly, none of that made Rosie the so-called villainess. The real joke was how the author decided to get rid of her. They came up with the most ridiculous plot twist: Rosie, unable to stand watching Chloe steal everything from her, tried to run Chloe and the hero over with her car at their engagement party after graduation from high school. But Chloe was the heroine. Nothing bad ever really happened to her. So of course, Rosie failed. And just like that, she was labeled the villainess. In the end, the hero had her legs broken and shipped her off overseas. She was left to rot on her own because Chloe, being so generous and kind, begged him not to kill her. The Brooks family, furious that Rosie'd tried to hurt their precious girl, cut her off completely. She died alone in a foreign country, abused by local thugs until she couldn't take it anymore. But in fact, Rosie only went to the engagement party because Chloe had invited her. Chloe had someone mess with her brakes so she'd lose control. Plus, there were tables and chairs everywhere. The car stopped way before it could've hit anyone. There was no way she would've actually hurt them. But Chloe cried and pretended to be scared. She wailed that Rosie was trying to kill her, and everyone bought it. So they broke Rosie's legs and threw her away like trash. Thinking about how her story ended, Rosie felt a cold shiver sweep over her. Chapter 2 Laughing In Anger Rosie thought, 'Why? In the novel, Chloe had stolen everything from me, including my parents and brothers, and I'd never done anything to hurt any of them. But because of some lies Chloe told, I was supposed to die so miserably. 'Was it because Chloe was the heroine? She wanted me dead because I was in her way in the Brooks family? How ridiculous! Did she even realize she was the outsider, the one who'd taken my place? 'What kind of idiot wrote a story this twisted? Did they have a brain at all?' Running through the whole plot in her head, Rosie actually laughed in anger. Since the day she'd come back to the Brooks residence, she'd walked on eggshells. She knew the family didn't want her around, so she made herself small. She stayed out of sight and only showed up when they called her. She never thought being practically invisible would still make Chloe see her as a threat. But apparently it did. Chloe wanted her dead. It was almost funny. And the Brooks family never said a word to defend Rosie. They just watched while the hero broke her legs and dumped her overseas. They didn't even bother getting her medical help. Thinking about how things ended for her, Rosie felt the last bit of hope for her family slip away. She knew better than to trade her life for a family that would remain blind until the very end. She sneered inwardly, 'I can't fight Chloe, but I can leave. I don't want a family that's already ruined. If walking away is the solution, that's what I'll do. No way I'm letting myself end up like that. I promised Grandma I'd be okay. 'How could I, the villainess, ever beat the heroine? Look at how my so-called parents and brothers treated me. No matter how hard I tried, no matter how much love I gave, they acted like I didn't exist. They only had eyes for Chloe. 'And even if I somehow won against her, what would be the point? Just thinking about such a blind and foolish family makes me feel sick. They're already messed up. I don't need them. I have Grandma, and that's enough.' Fighting Chloe and the others now would be fighting a losing battle. Rosie knew where she stood. She was just an 11th grader. She couldn't take them on. Her only job right now was to study hard and build herself up. She wouldn't let them push her around like in the novel. She'd be ready to resist next time. After sketching out a rough plan in her head, Rosie couldn't fight the exhaustion anymore. She let her eyes close. The car accident had drained everything out of her. She needed to rest, recover, and then figure out how she was going to get out. At least she still had time. In the story, she didn't die until after graduation from high school. She had a little while to breathe. She'd use it to plan her escape. The Brooks family was disgusting. They'd never let her go easily. Besides, she was still a minor, still in high school. There were too many strings attached. She'd have to move slowly, save money, and find a way to support herself. While Rosie finally drifted off, exhausted, up in the VVIP suite on the top floor, things were very different. "Chloe, you're awake! Are you okay? Does anything hurt?" Lucas Brooks, the third among the four brothers, exclaimed. He was still wearing his gaming team uniform. "Brothers, I thought I'd never see you again. I was so scared when the accident happened," Chloe whimpered. When she saw all the Brooks brothers, including Lucas, who was supposed to be at practice, gather around her bed, her eyes filled with tears instantly. "I'm so sorry, Chloe. It's our fault. We should've protected you," Matthew said, guilt heavy in his voice. Looking at her tearful eyes, all four of them felt their hearts ache. "What about Rosie? She was with me. She must be hurt, too, right? It's my fault. If I hadn't asked her to ride with me, this might not have happened," Chloe said, looking up at Matthew, big eyes full of guilt and tears. "Yeah, but she's fine now. Don't blame yourself. You were trying to be nice, letting her ride with you. Honestly, if she hadn't been in that car, she might've ended up worse. She should be thanking you. "Forget about her. You're way more hurt than she is. And she actually tried to take away the blood. Some sister she is," Matthew said. Matthew hadn't expected Chloe to bring up Rosie. His face showed how annoyed he was, but since it was Chloe asking, he answered anyway. "I should've protected her in the car. Then she wouldn't be so hurt. Did the hospital end up giving the blood to her?" Chloe said. She looked down, hiding the frustration on her face. She couldn't believe that even after she'd pulled Rosie in front of her, she still ended up worse off. 'Unbelievable luck. Why couldn't that accident have killed her?' she thought bitterly. "Are you kidding? Of course, the blood went to you, Chloe. Good thing Nathan was there. When the doctor asked who to save, he didn't even think. He picked you right away," Lucas said with a smirk. "Nathan..." Even though she'd expected it, hearing Lucas say it made her feel warm inside. For real this time, she was touched. Her voice cracked as she called out to Nathan. "Rosie's always been tough. She'll be fine. Don't cry, Chloe. No matter what, you'll always be my first choice," Nathan said, his chest tightening as he looked into her wet eyes. "Exactly. Rosie's always been strong. She's got a head wound and a broken arm, but you've got a fractured hand and a concussion. And she still tried to take your blood? That's ridiculous. "You're hurt this badly, and you're still worried about her. You're too nice. People are gonna walk all over you. You need to be a little selfish. "Rosie's fine, and she'll heal in a few days. Focus on yourself and stop worrying about people who don't matter," Lucas added. Just thinking about how Rosie almost took Chloe's blood made him frown in disgust. 'Why does Rosie always have to be everywhere? Chloe gets hurt, and she has to get hurt, too. She copies everything. Does she think she's Chloe? Getting hurt to get sympathy? She's so young, but already so manipulative,' Lucas thought. Rosie was their real sister, but she didn't matter to them at all. If she were there, she would think that it was the biggest joke. When Chloe heard Lucas talking about what happened to Rosie, she felt a rush of satisfaction. 'Of course, our brothers love me the most,' she thought. "As the older sister, she should've protected you. If she'd taken care of you in the car, you wouldn't have hurt this badly," Nathan said, his eyes flashing with disgust as he brought Rosie up, his tone full of resentment. 'As the older sister, she's completely useless. She didn't even try to shield Chloe during the crash, and then she tried to take her blood? That's just disgusting,' he thought. If Rosie, who'd been unconscious since they brought her to the hospital, could hear what Nathan was thinking, she'd probably laugh. She was unconscious the whole time. There was no way she could fight Chloe for anything. Chapter 3 Blood Doesn't Mean Much "I thought I wouldn't get to see you guys today. When the accident happened, I kept thinking that if I were gone, how heartbroken you would all be," Chloe said, her voice all shaky with emotion. As Chloe listened to her brothers trash-talking Rosie, she felt a surge of smug satisfaction. 'Blood doesn't mean much after all. Our brothers still love me the most,' she thought. "Come on, don't say that. You're fine now, right? We're all here for you. Chloe, you have no idea how much you worry us," Matthew said softly, trying to comfort her. Matthew, who was usually cold and ruthless to outsiders, felt his heart twist. Chloe had just been in a car accident, and she was still worried about them. He ruffled her hair gently. 'Chloe is so lovable,' he thought. "Chloe, you're one lucky girl. Even if that pest got hurt, nothing bad could ever happen to you," Lucas said, not even trying to hide his dislike for Rosie. He'd completely forgotten that the so-called pest was lying alone in some other hospital room. Julian Brooks, the youngest among the brothers, stayed quiet, standing off to the side. But the indifferent look on his face made it clear he agreed with them. "Matthew, Nathan, Lucas, Julian, I really thought I'd never see you guys again," Chloe said, her lips twitching as she held back a smile. She clung to Matthew's sleeve, sobbing quietly. But her eyes couldn't hide her secret delight. "No way, that's not happening. The universe wouldn't take someone as amazing as you. You're going to live forever, so knock on wood," Lucas said, reaching out to ruffle her hair, too. "Knock on wood," Chloe repeated, catching the worried look in his eyes and obediently doing what he asked. "Lucas is right," Julian said quietly. He happened to catch Chloe's lips curling up in a sly smile. He paused for a second, but when he looked again, her expression was back to normal. He shook his head, convincing himself that he'd imagined it. 'Chloe is so sweet and obedient. There's no way she'd do something like that. She's probably feeling guilty that Rosie got hurt because of her,' he added quietly. Julian had a cool, aloof look. He was tall and slender, dressed in a crisp white shirt and black pants, as pristine as they came. His usually indifferent eyes softened a little only when he looked at Chloe in the hospital bed. None of them cared one bit about Rosie, who was probably still unconscious in another room. "Where's Rosie? Why isn't she in the same room as me?" Chloe piped up, acting as if she'd just realized. "Her? She's in a room downstairs. What makes her think she deserves a room with you? Is she even worthy?" Lucas scoffed, curling his lip. He thought, 'This room costs over thirty grand a day. Does she deserve it? Our family's loaded, but we're not about to waste money on someone like her. Giving her a private room is already way more than she deserves. 'She grew up in some poor town. A regular hospital room is probably way nicer than that rundown shack she used to live in anyway. 'She should count herself lucky to even get a private room. Dreaming about staying in the VVIP suite like Chloe? That's just ridiculous.' "Let Rosie stay with me, okay? She might get scared all alone," Chloe said, ducking her head to hide the satisfaction in her eyes, but her face was full of fake concern. "Don't worry about her. She grew up in a poor place and must've been through a lot. No way she'd be scared." Matthew waved his hand, clearly not wanting to talk about Rosie. Just thinking about Rosie irritated him. He thought, 'She's always so dull and timid. She's a total eyesore. We have done a paternity test, which proves she's our sister. Otherwise, none of us would ever believe someone like her was actually family.' They never thought about it. After dragging her back from that poor town, they didn't care about her and didn't teach her anything. All they ever did was pick on her and put her down. It was only normal that she never had any confidence. Seeing Matthew already losing patience, Chloe said, "Matthew—" "Forget about her. You've been out for hours, so you must be starving. I had someone bring your favorite food from Octave House," Matthew cut her off, not letting her get another word out about Rosie. "Octave House? You actually got food from there? Matthew, you're amazing." Chloe knew Matthew was about to snap, so she quickly changed the subject. She gazed up at him, eyes full of admiration. "If you like it, I'll order it for you again next time," Matthew said, his mood instantly lifting as he caught Chloe's sparkling, adoring gaze. All the annoyance he'd felt because of Rosie vanished in an instant. 'Chloe's the best. Give her a little food, and she's over the moon, showering me with praise. But Rosie? She takes whatever I give her and acts like it's nothing, never even saying a simple "thank you,"' Matthew thought. "Chloe, if you love Octave House's food, I'll get it for you next time, too. Oh, and that handbag you wanted? I had my assistant grab it for you. It's coming tomorrow," Lucas chimed in, a bit jealous that Matthew was getting all the attention. "Wow, thank you, Lucas! You're the best. I love you the most." Chloe's eyes lit up as soon as she heard her favorite handbag was hers. She couldn't stop gushing, and Lucas was clearly eating it up. While Matthew and Lucas were basking in Chloe's praise, Nathan stayed quiet. He simply took out his phone and transferred a bunch of money to Chloe. The notification chimed in the room. "Nathan!" Chloe gasped, her eyes sparkling. "I've been pretty swamped lately, so use this to treat yourself to something nice," Nathan said, a faint smile playing on his lips. "Thank you, Nathan. You work so hard. Make sure you get some rest. If you wear yourself out, it'll break my heart," Chloe said, blinking her big, worried eyes at him. "Got it. I will," Nathan replied, his eyes full of affection for Chloe, not bothering to hide how much he adored her. "I managed to get a ticket to your favorite band's concert. Once you're all healed up, you can go and have some fun," Julian said, pulling a ticket out of his bag. "Wow, thank you, Julian!" Chloe's eyes lit up as she quickly grabbed the ticket from his hand. "Matthew, Nathan, Lucas, Julian, I love you all," Chloe exclaimed. After the accident, getting all these gifts made her feel totally satisfied. Her annoyance about getting hurt pretty much disappeared. "We love you, too," the brothers replied. Chloe's words warmed all four brothers' hearts. She was worth all the love in their minds. As for Rosie? She wasn't raised with them. No matter what, she never truly felt like family. "Matthew, Nathan, Lucas, Julian, have you eaten yet? Why don't you join me?" Chloe asked, her voice full of thoughtful concern. The brothers nodded in agreement. None of them had much appetite while Chloe was unconscious, but now that she was awake, they suddenly felt hungry. There was plenty of food, so they gathered around and shared the meal with Chloe. "Guys, try this. It's really good," Chloe said, offering the dish to her brothers. "Chloe, you're so thoughtful. Make sure you eat, too," Matthew replied, smiling at her. The brothers and Chloe were happily digging in, not caring at all whether Rosie was awake or starving in another room. Chapter 4 Ryan Sterling "Hey, brat, shut the door!" Jackson Sterling grumbled at his grandson, Ryan, who was sprawled on the couch, totally lost in his game. Jackson rubbed his aching head from his hospital bed. The sickly sweet, overly concerned chatter from the next room was absolutely grating. "Well, weren't you the one who wanted the door open for some air? Now you're whining about the noise?" Ryan said lazily, barely lifting his eyes from his phone. His mischievous gaze sparkled as he looked at Jackson, who was clearly suffering. "The Brooks family next door is a bunch of idiots. They can't even tell good from bad. I was hoping they'd show a little care for that girl, but they're all blind fools. Total waste of space. "Shut the door now! My head's pounding, and my ears can't take it. Hurry up. And tell Octave House to take no more orders from the Brooks family. I don't want those clueless idiots to eat food from there. It's disgusting," Jackson snapped. The noise from next door dragged on. Hearing the Brooks family's so-called concern, Jackson couldn't help but sneer. He shot an annoyed look at Ryan, who was grinning back at him like a used car salesman trying to close a deal. Jackson had a love-hate relationship with Ryan's looks. Whenever Ryan turned on the charm with that handsome face and sweet talk, Jackson felt like he could hand over the whole family fortune and even his secret stash of cash. But when Ryan got under his skin, Jackson honestly wanted to grab a belt and give him a good whack just to blow off steam. "Grandpa, swearing again? Weren't you all about keeping it clean these days? What did the Brooks family do to get you so riled up?" Ryan teased, his tone lazy and playful. Ryan clicked his tongue, his lazy eyes flashing with amusement as he glanced at Jackson, who was cursing on the bed. Without pausing his game, he pressed the remote, and the door slowly slid shut. Jackson had been a soldier back in the day, with a fiery temper. After retiring, age caught up with him, and the doctors kept nagging him to take it easy. He hadn't lost his cool in ages, but the Brooks family next door had managed to make him snap and start cursing again. With the annoying noise finally gone, Jackson felt the buzzing in his ears fade away, and he could finally breathe easily. "I heard a kid from that family is at your school, in 12th grade. What's his name? Julian, yeah, that's it. He seems to be at the top of the grade or whatever. "Listen up. Stay far away from that guy. All his brothers are idiots, so he's probably just as dumb. You must avoid him. Idiocy spreads," Jackson barked, his tone dead serious. Just thinking about it made Jackson shudder. He shot Ryan a rarely stern look, making sure his warning hit home. 'Idiocy spreads,' Jackson told himself inwardly. 'I don't want Ryan to turn into a moron.' 'Seriously?' Ryan thought, feeling utterly speechless. "I'm not dumb. Besides, I'm basically a troublemaker. No way that straight-A overachiever would get mixed up with me. But now you've got me curious. The Brooks family next door, right? What did they do to piss you off this much?" Ryan said curiously. Ryan had just come back from abroad, so he was still clueless about all the local drama. But now, even his usually chill heart was stirred up by Jackson's rage. 'The Brooks family next door must be something else,' Ryan mused, a little impressed. 'Grandpa spent years in high-ranking positions and has been keeping his temper in check ever since the doctors warned him. 'But they actually managed to make him so mad that he's cursing nonstop. Gotta give them props for that. 'Maybe I should check them out someday. I want to see what kind of legends could pull off something like that.' "Let me tell you. The Brooks family must have rocks for brains. The family head and his wife went and had five kids, four boys and a girl," Jackson said, not holding back now that Ryan looked interested. "Wow, they really don't mess around," Ryan drawled with a lazy smirk. 'Our family's only managed one kid per generation for four generations, but the Brooks family? They're practically a baby factory,' he thought. "Hey, don't interrupt," Jackson snapped, shooting Ryan a sharp look. He wasn't finished yet. "Alright, Grandpa, I'm all ears," Ryan replied, lips quirking up in a small smile. He could practically feel how much Jackson wanted to vent. Ryan's eyes narrowed with amusement as he nodded. Jackson continued, "Just now, I overheard the nurses chatting while changing my bandages. You know about that big pileup in the city? Turns out those two girls were caught up in it. Both got hurt and needed blood transfusions, but there wasn't enough blood. "And their second brother happens to work at this hospital. When the nurses asked him who to save first, can you believe it? He didn't even blink. He chose the adopted girl. I'm so pissed off. "He actually said that the other girl could wait a bit, that she wouldn't die right away. It made my blood boil. How can someone be so clueless about right and wrong?" Even now, just thinking about it made Jackson furious. 'Rosie is such a good kid, yet she had the bad luck to be born into a family of idiots like the Brooks family,' he thought. Rosie had once helped Jackson out by accident, and he'd wanted to return the favor, so he had someone look into her background. That was how he knew most of her story, and his heart ached for her. In all his years, he'd never seen a family as messed up as this one. "Yeah, they're total idiots." Ryan nodded, fully backing up Jackson's rant. His mischievous eyes flashed with surprise and then turned mocking. 'Seriously, what kind of family does that?' Ryan thought. 'They finally get their sister back after years, and instead of making it up to her, they keep doting on the adopted girl. It's like their real sister's feelings don't even exist. 'And when it came down to a life or death choice, they picked the adopted one without a second thought? Have they completely lost their minds? Do they even remember who their real sister is? How does a family like that even survive?' "Idiots, right? I couldn't agree more," Jackson said, slapping his thigh. He couldn't stop complaining about it. "Oh, and that poor girl from their family is called Rosie. She's in your grade. She's super sweet and sensible, and honestly, the kind of kid everyone wants to protect. "When school starts, if you ever bump into her, lend her a hand if you can," Jackson said, his tone softening with real concern. "Rosie Brooks?" Ryan muttered, almost absent-mindedly. "What, you know her?" Jackson asked, catching the subtle shift in Ryan's mood. "I just used the blood bag I kept in my car to help a girl downstairs. Her name seems to be... Rosie," Ryan admitted, his tone a bit conflicted. 'I didn't expect the girl I saved to be the same poor thing Grandpa kept mentioning. Wow, she really is unlucky,' he thought. He'd heard Nathan downstairs saying without a second of hesitation that Chloe should be saved first, even though Rosie, lying right there, was obviously in worse shape. "Man, what are the odds? I heard from the nurses that a good Samaritan used a blood bag to save Rosie, and turns out it was you. That's fate for you," Jackson said, shaking his head in disbelief. Ryan had only recently returned from abroad, so while Jackson was well-known at the hospital, nobody had a clue who Ryan was. "Yeah," Ryan replied, dropping his usual playful tone for something more serious. 'Rosie helped Grandpa, so naturally our family owes her one,' he thought. "By the way, Ryan, since you used up the blood bag in your car, don't forget to restock it, alright?" Jackson reminded him, sounding pretty serious. "I know." Ryan nodded, keeping it short. Chapter 5 Rosie's Grandma While the Brooks siblings were happily eating their meal, Rosie woke up from the pain in her hospital room. She looked at the familiar ceiling and the empty room, and a small smile appeared on her face. She could already picture Matthew and the rest fussing over Chloe, comforting her with sweet words and gentle concern. She could also imagine how Chloe would mention her name on purpose, just to win their sympathy for herself. Listening to their disdain for her would bring Chloe quiet satisfaction. She knew all of Chloe's tricks by heart. Her stomach rumbled with hunger, and Rosie absent-mindedly rubbed it with her scraped hand. She hadn't eaten anything in the morning. Just as she was about to grab breakfast, Chloe moved up their departure time, so Rosie barely managed to grab two breakfast pastries. But as soon as they got in the car, Chloe wrinkled her nose at the smell and made her toss them out. Rosie thought about how timid she'd always been, and a faint, bitter smile tugged at her lips. She knew Matthew and the others always doted on Chloe, and since she was never their favorite, Rosie didn't dare go against Chloe or fight back. She was terrified they'd hate her even more, so she just went along with whatever Chloe wanted. Stuff like this happened all the time, and not once did Matthew or the others ever stand up for her. But now, she wasn't going to be that timid girl anymore. Judith Allison, her adoptive grandmother, had always cherished her, treating her like her own little princess. If Judith ever found out how everyone treated her, she'd be devastated. Thinking about Judith, Rosie recalled what the novel said about her. When Judith got the news that Rosie had died overseas, her health, already fragile, gave out completely. She collapsed at home, and it took a whole day before a neighbor found her. In the end, the neighbors pooled their money to give Judith a modest funeral. Thinking about Judith's fate, Rosie pushed herself up, wincing as she scooted to the side. She reached for her stuff on the nightstand, grabbed her phone from a bloodstained canvas bag, and called Judith. "Hello? Rosie, is that you? Rosie?" The call connected almost instantly, and Judith's warm, caring voice filled her ears. Rosie nearly burst into tears. She looked up at the ceiling, clutching her phone tighter. "Rosie? Is that you?" Judith repeated, sounding worried when Rosie didn't reply right away. "Grandma, I miss you so much," Rosie rasped. When people got sick, they seemed to get all soft and sentimental. Right now, Rosie missed Judith more than ever. She missed those days after school when Judith would come pick her up. They'd stroll together down the lanes, sometimes veering off to pick a few fresh veggies from the gardens. Then they'd head home, sit on little stools in the yard, and prep vegetables and make dinner together under the glow of the setting sun. When Rosie was little, Harley took her to the amusement park, but in a moment of carelessness, she was kidnapped by a trafficker. Rosie was so terrified that she went completely blank, barely reacting the whole way, so the trafficker thought she was slow. Since kids like that didn't sell for much, the trafficker dumped her on a remote roadside. Rosie fell hard and cried her heart out. Her wailing drew Judith's attention while she was out collecting recyclables. Rosie was only two, so she remembered nothing and didn't understand a thing. With no one else around, Judith assumed Rosie was abandoned by her family, so she brought her home and raised her as her own granddaughter. Judith had a rough life. She lost her husband early, and then her son died in a car accident when she was still middle-aged. After that, her son's wife took all the money and disappeared, leaving Judith completely alone. With both her husband and son gone, Judith never remarried and lived by herself. With all her savings wiped out by her daughter-in-law, she had no choice but to collect recyclables just to get by. Later, she took Rosie in and raised her single-handedly, struggling to send her to school. Normally, things would turn around soon. Rosie would graduate, start earning, and finally let Judith enjoy some peace. But Rosie hadn't been a good granddaughter. When her parents finally found her at fourteen, she couldn't resist the hope of having real parents and brothers. Driven by that longing for family, she left Judith behind. She didn't return for two whole years, not once visiting Judith. The Brooks family thought it was shameful that she'd grown up in a poor town, so they made her keep her distance from Judith. Rosie craved family so badly. She'd been called an orphan so many times growing up. After the Brooks family strictly ordered her to stay away, she really did cut back on contact. She never called Judith herself. It was always Judith who reached out. Even then, Rosie had to secretly answer Judith's calls, afraid the Brooks family would find out and get angry. She never went back to see Judith, not even once. Thinking about all the wrongs she'd done, Rosie couldn't stop the tears from falling. She'd been so ungrateful to Judith, so timid and powerless. "Rosie, I miss you, too. Do you still have enough money? I asked a neighbor to transfer 200 dollars to you for me. Don't skimp on food or drinks. "If you want something, go get it. I've got money, and if you ever run short, let me know," Judith said. Judith was getting old, and her hearing wasn't so sharp anymore, so she didn't catch the sadness in Rosie's voice. But hearing her sweet granddaughter say she missed her made Judith's wrinkled eyes crinkle with a smile. "Grandma, I have enough money. You don't need to worry. Take good care of yourself back home, okay? Don't pinch pennies. "If you ever need anything, let me know. The Brooks family gave me so much. I can't even spend it all. Maybe you can help me out with that," Rosie said. Judith's words made Rosie unable to hold back her feelings. She pulled the phone away, wiped her eyes, then forced a smile and tried to sound upbeat. "Rosie, the money the Brooks family gave you is theirs, and what I transfer to you is from me. Besides, I'm just an old lady living in a small town; life here is simple and cheap, so you really don't need to send me anything. "If the Brooks family finds out you gave the money you received from them to me, they'll definitely be upset," Judith explained. Judith kept saying she didn't need anything and spoke to Rosie with heartfelt concern. Judith thought, 'The money Rosie received from the Brooks family is only for her. If they find out she passed it to me, they'll be angry, and Rosie might get blamed for it. 'I'm already not much help to Rosie, and I hate that she's had to struggle. I can't let her go through any more trouble on my account.' "Grandma, they're not like that. They're pretty generous. When they gave me the money, they specifically asked me to send some to you," Rosie said. Even though she hated the Brooks family, she had to play along for now. Otherwise, Judith would worry herself sick. Rosie really did have money. The Brooks family gave her a monthly allowance of 1,000 dollars. Since all her meals, clothes, and tuition were covered by them, and she didn't go out much, she kept saving it up. After two years, she'd built up a decent stash, and she'd started earning a bit on her own, too. 1,000 dollars was basically pocket change to people in the Brooks family's world, but for Rosie, who'd grown up counting every cent, it felt like a small fortune, especially since she didn't have to pay for school or daily necessities herself. Chapter 6 You Worry Too Much "No need for that. Keep it for yourself, sweet girl. Buy whatever you want, and don't hold back. If you ever run short, let me know, and I'll give you more. As long as they're good to you, I can rest assured," Judith said. After all these years, Judith knew exactly what was going on. She thought, 'As long as they're good to Rosie, that's all I care about.' Judith had seen the disdain on the Brooks family's faces when they came to take Rosie away. She blamed herself for not being able to give Rosie a better life. Once Rosie told her they were at least treating her well, Judith could finally relax. As long as her granddaughter was happy, nothing else mattered. "Grandma, I'll come visit you when winter break comes," Rosie said softly. This time, she wasn't going to let the Brooks family stop her. She was determined to see Judith. "No, you don't need to come back. Stay with the Brooks family and get along with them. Don't worry about me. I'm doing great and have everything I need," Judith replied quickly. When Judith heard Rosie wanted to come back and see her, she hurried to persuade her otherwise. She knew the Brooks family wouldn't be happy if they found out. "It's settled. I'll come see you when winter break comes," Rosie insisted, feeling a pang in her heart at how much Judith always put her first. She'd originally planned to visit Judith over the summer, but when she looked down at all her injuries, she changed her mind. 'If Grandma saw me like this, she'd be so worried,' she thought. ***** After calling Judith, Rosie felt a lot better, though her throat, which was already dry from going so long without water, felt even scratchier now. She glanced at her current state. The clothes and blanket that had covered her had slipped halfway to the floor from all her moving around, leaving her upper body exposed. Her left arm was bandaged, and her stomach was wrapped in gauze. Any movement made her wince in pain. As the ache in her stomach flared up, Rosie's eyes turned cold. She wouldn't have been hurt this badly if Chloe hadn't yanked her forward to shield herself when the car crashed. Rosie ended up taking the hit, and shards of broken glass had pierced her body. 'Chloe... I won't let this slide,' Rosie thought. This time, she wasn't going to keep giving in to stay in the Brooks family's good graces. She'd always tried to avoid trouble, but now that they were pushing her around, she wasn't about to take it lying down. If she got thrown out of the Brooks family, that might be the best thing for her. Her throat felt like it was on fire, so she struggled through the pain to reach out and press the call button on the wall. Rosie never expected those clueless guys in the Brooks family to even remember she existed. With Chloe around, they'd be completely wrapped up in her, too busy to spare a thought for Rosie. 'Pathetic,' Rosie thought to herself. She noticed the blanket lying on the floor and tried to bend down to pick it up, but the movement pulled at her wounds. Her body gave out beneath her, and she started to fall. Just when Rosie thought she was done for, someone caught her before she could hit the floor. Still rattled, she looked up and found herself staring into a pair of lazy, captivating eyes, with a flicker of worry hiding in their depths. She was stunned for a moment and then quickly brushed it off. 'Who else would ever care about me except Grandma?' she wondered. Before she could snap out of it, Ryan had already picked her up and settled her back onto the bed. He clicked his tongue, teasing, "Look at you, poor little thing." Rosie was so stunned by his sudden appearance that she stared blankly, not even able to react. "What were you trying to do?" Ryan asked, raising an eyebrow at the dazed girl. He thought, 'She's seriously injured and still can't stay put. She actually tried to move around. When she almost fell just now, it nearly made my heart stop. 'The Brooks family is something else. They didn't even bother to have anyone watch over her? They left a patient all alone in the hospital room, huh?' "I... I was trying to grab the blanket," Rosie mumbled, finally snapping out of it. She couldn't bring herself to meet Ryan's lazy gaze. Sitting on the bed, she gripped the sheets beneath her, cold sweat breaking out all over from the pain. She clenched her teeth, trying to tough it out. "Thanks for helping me out just now," Rosie whispered. "No big deal. Helping people is what you do," Ryan said, waving his hand. He bent down, scooped up the blanket from the floor, and casually draped it over her. His voice was lazy and carefree, like he couldn't be bothered by anything. He acted like life was just a game to him, and nothing ever seemed to really matter. Even when you were close to him, it felt like there was always this wall keeping you apart. Rosie didn't even know how to respond. She thought, 'He really talks in a way that's totally different from everyone else. 'He looks barely seventeen or eighteen, but his outlook is so mature. Since I came here, the guys I've met are either mysterious, or cold and distant, or arrogant. It's been so long since I last heard someone speak in such a genuine, down-to-earth way.' "Don't start worshipping me or anything. I did a good deed, that's all," Ryan joked, noticing Rosie was staring at him like he was some kind of rare animal. He stepped back a bit, just in case, half-teasing, half-warning. Ryan mused, 'Girls her age are always getting mushy over the tiniest thing. A guy does one nice thing, and suddenly, he's their hero. 'I'm just returning the favor. She helped my grandpa, so I helped her back. I'm not looking to get myself into any trouble. 'Yeah, she looks pitiful and fragile, and it's hard not to feel a little sorry for her. But I'm not about to risk anything for her.' "You worry too much. I'm not the type to bite the hand that feeds me," Rosie said. That line finally made her crack a smile. Her eyes, half-hidden beneath her bangs, curved into a gentle arc. Her pale lips tugged up, revealing a faint dimple at the corner. Her voice was soft and raspy, and for a moment, the pain in her body seemed to ease. He was so full of himself, but somehow, you couldn't hate him for it. He really had the charm to pull it off. Ryan's features were so refined. It was like the gods had taken extra care sculpting him. His eyes were long and slanted, with a lazy, seductive pull. Those deep pupils were like polished gems, so captivating that you could easily get lost in them. He stood over six feet tall, lean and slender, dressed in a crisp white T-shirt, black casual pants, and white sneakers. With his long limbs and clean, fresh style, he had an effortless cool that drew people in. There was a laid-back vibe about him that no other guy had, mixed with something Rosie couldn't quite describe. He wasn't arrogant or shallow. If anything, he made you want to care for him, though she couldn't explain why. Much later, she'd realize it was a kind of calm, like he'd already seen through everything and nothing could shake him. Rosie thought Ryan was even more handsome than Julian. With that gorgeous face and the way he'd just helped her, he definitely had the kind of charm that could make anyone fall for him. But he was really overthinking it. Rosie had zero interest in romance or anything like that. Her only focus was healing up, hitting the books, making some money, and eventually moving on from the Brooks family. "Hey, if it hurts, you can let it out. Most girls your age don't usually tough it out like this," Ryan said. Chapter 7 She Had Nothing To Offer Him His thoughts were exposed, and Ryan felt a rare twinge of embarrassment as he met Rosie's clear gaze. He gave a light cough, and his eyes drifted to her barely noticeable dimples, making his own smile tug at the corners of his lips. 'Rosie doesn't mince words, but those dimples are adorable, and her bright, cheerful voice is actually pretty pleasant,' Ryan mused quietly. 'Grandpa was right. She really makes people want to look out for her.' But seeing Rosie with cold sweat on her forehead, gritting her teeth and enduring the pain, Ryan couldn't help but sigh softly. He thought, 'No wonder Grandpa worried about her so much. She's honestly pitiful. As a young girl, she suffers such serious injuries, yet is still toughing it out. Just watching her makes my heart ache.' Ever since Jackson spoke to him, Ryan couldn't shake the uneasy feeling in his chest. The family in the next room was all warm and cozy together, so sickeningly sweet that it made him want to gag. It brought back the image of Rosie, the frail, bloodied girl he'd seen earlier. She was lying helpless on a stretcher as she was brought upstairs. Once Jackson fell asleep, Ryan wandered downstairs for some air. Somehow, he found himself outside this room, and just as he arrived, he caught Rosie in the middle of something dangerously reckless. He didn't care if he would startle her. Rosie was already badly hurt, and if she fell, things could get a whole lot worse. So he kicked the door open and rushed in. She was just a breath away. One misstep, and she would have gone down. "Nobody cares anyway, so what's the point in crying out?" Rosie finally exhaled, her voice rough and tired. "You don't need someone to care about you just to cry out when it hurts. Sometimes, letting it out makes you feel a bit better," Ryan said, frowning at her odd logic. His words caught Rosie off guard. She'd seen Chloe make a scene every time she got hurt, making sure everyone knew and getting all their concern. So she had always assumed that crying out was just a way to get people to care. But since nobody ever cared about her, she thought there was no point in saying anything. She'd tried before, hoping the Brooks family would show some concern when she was hurt. But all she got was scolding and annoyance. They blamed her for not being careful enough. They told her not to make a fuss or try to get sympathy for something trivial. They said that everyone's time was precious, and that if she got hurt, she should go see a doctor herself instead of bothering them. After that, Rosie never made a sound when she got hurt. She'd endure the pain alone. But she'd forgotten that there was a time when even a tiny scrape would make Judith dote on her endlessly, calling her precious and fussing over her for ages. When Rosie realized what she was thinking, a chill ran down her spine. She couldn't believe Chloe had gotten so deep under her skin. She thought, 'Pain isn't something you need to perform for others. Sometimes, saying it out loud when you feel bad can make you feel a little better. Why should I hold myself back just to please them?' "And who says nobody cares about you? I'm here, aren't I?" Ryan turned and poured her a glass of water, handing it over casually. 'Man, her voice is really shot,' he thought. "Thanks," Rosie said, her throat parched as she gratefully accepted the water. After a sip, her throat felt instantly relieved. She asked, her voice barely above a whisper, "I don't think I know you. Why are you helping me?" Maybe what he said actually made sense. Rosie felt a rare warmth toward Ryan. But it'd been so long since anyone last showed her any real kindness. She couldn't help but wonder if it was for real. "You might not know me, but I know you. Helping you? Well, that's because I'm a nice guy," Ryan replied, catching the probing tone in her voice. He was unfazed by her guardedness, responding in his usual laid-back manner. 'Yeah, that's just how I am, always lending a hand,' he thought. "I don't really have anything to give you in return," Rosie said quietly, unsure how to respond. She took another sip of water, the steam rising and blurring her anxious eyes beneath her heavy bangs. She thought, 'I'm never the favored one in the Brooks family. If he wants anything from them, he's helping the wrong person. He should be going after Chloe, the real darling of the family. If he knows me, he's probably one of those Beloris elites. 'The Brooks family always thinks of me as an embarrassment, so even after they found me two years ago, they never brought me to any events or introduced me to anyone. So I barely know any of the upper-class guys in Beloris.' "I don't need you to pay me back. I'm just doing a good deed, like a hero or something," Ryan said, his tone lazy and casual. He watched Rosie curled up small on the bed, her long hair falling over her thin shoulders, a bandage wrapped around her head. Her heavy bangs covered her eyes, but Ryan could picture them—nervous and timid, making anyone want to protect her. The rest of her face was so thin, her chin sharp, and her lips pale. Ryan thought, 'Maybe it's not just what Grandpa said. They might be starving her or worse. 'When I held her earlier, she felt like hugging a pillow. She's way too light. Strong? Yeah right. That's the Brooks family's bullshit.' "Is that so? Well, thanks," Rosie replied, her voice casual. She was already used to Ryan's refreshingly blunt style. If he was after something, she honestly had nothing to offer him anyway. "Don't mention it," Ryan said with a carefree wave of his hand. Before they could say anything else, a nurse hurried over and asked, "Ms. Brooks, is there anything you need?" "Could you bring me some food?" Rosie said. Then she glanced at Ryan, who was still standing nearby. "And what about you? Have you eaten yet? Do you want to join me?" she pressed her lips together and asked. She was really hungry. "No, thanks. I've eaten," Ryan replied. He'd eaten with Jackson earlier. "Alright," Rosie said. Seeing Ryan decline, Rosie didn't push it. He was decked out in designer labels, and that watch alone probably cost a fortune. She knew he was definitely not hurting for cash. She had no idea which rich family he belonged to, but there was no way he'd be interested in bland hospital food. She nodded at the nurse and said, "That's all. Thanks." The VIP ward had its perks. There were nurses to look after you, and they'd even fetch your meals. Of course, all of it would end up on the Brooks family's tab. Rosie mentally tallied up how much this hospital stay was going to set them back. 'It's not going to be cheap,' she thought. Ryan was about to head out when the nurse arrived, but since Rosie asked for food, she'd be left all alone in the room again. 'Well, might as well stick around for a bit,' Ryan thought. 'If I leave and something happens to Rosie, Grandpa will probably chew me out for days. 'I'd rather avoid the drama. It's just keeping an eye on her for a little while, and I've got nothing else going on anyway. 'The Brooks family is seriously unbelievable. Rosie's been awake all this time, and not a single person has bothered to visit her.' "You..." Rosie started, her voice soft and hesitant.

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"Nathan, you seriously went too far today. Do you even realize that if Ryan didn't happen to have the same blood type as Rosie, and if he hadn't kept an emergency blood bag in his car, she might not have made it?" Matthew Brooks said.