FULL NOVELXO Chapter 1294
"You all can go over to her, but I'm the only one who can't. How is that supposed to make me feel like part of this family? You've never really wanted me to fit in," Hope said, feeling more and more upset as she spoke.
If Gemma were to disappear from the world entirely, then Orion would only have one sister, her. His focus would be solely on her, and he would never be cross with her over another sister again.
If only she had given Gemma more of that medicine before. She remembered the little bottle still tucked away in her backpack.
The bad people had told her the substance was powerful. Just half a bottle could kill an adult, and a child would need even less. Just a few more drops, and Gemma would be gone forever.
Then, not only would she see her real mom again, but she would also have Orion all to herself.
"Stop thinking that way," Orion insisted. "We really are a family. It's because we're a family that we need to take care of Gemma and be considerate of Mom."
But no matter what he said, Hope couldn't understand.
Family. It was supposed to be the closest bond in the world. If they were truly a family, then why did Gemma cry only when she saw her, but not with anyone else? And why could everyone else visit Gemma, but she was the only one who couldn't? If they were a family, shouldn't they all be treated the same?
"Anyway, you go play for now," Orion continued. "I need to help Mom take care of Gemma. Once she's better, we'll play together. We can even go to the aquarium."
"Will Gemma come with us?" Hope asked, raising a question.
Orion thought about it. "She probably will."
"But what if she cries and fusses that day and refuses to go?"
"Then we'll just go another time," Orion replied without hesitation.
They had plenty of time, after all. There was no need to rush. If they couldn't go today, there would still be tomorrow, the day after, and the day after that.
The more Hope listened, the more
her heart sank. As long as Gemma was around, she would always come second. Even if she and Orion made plans together, a few tears from Gemma could change everything.
Hope had made up her mind.
When Nina went to her room and Nash headed to the kitchen to make dinner, Hope approached Mrs. Watson with a familiar tactic. "Mrs. Watson, I really want to eat one of
your cakes. Orion wants some too."
"Mr. York is already cooking. Why don't you both have dinner tonight and then enjoy some cake in the morning?" Mrs. Watson replied, hesitant to leave.
Although Gemma's fever had broken, Mrs. Watson still remembered the recent scare. She felt the need to be by her side constantly, ready to prevent any surprises.
"But, Mrs. Watson, if I don't get any
cake, I won't be able to eat anything tonight. You don't need to worry about Gemma. Orion and I are here. Don't you think we can handle taking care of one little sister?" Hope
thumped her chest confidently.
Still, Mrs. Watson didn't budge.
But Hope's last words struck a chord. She didn't feel comfortable leaving two kids in charge of another, no matter what Hope said.
But then she saw the glimmer of tears in Hope's eyes. She couldn't bear to say no to her. After all, at Hope's age, she needed proper meals as she was still growing.