Chapter 17
“Don’t worry. Hi. I won’t say a word,” Leia said with a warm smile, though anger simmered beneath her calm exterior.
Oblivious to her true feelings. Eli smiled in relief and ruffled her hair. “Thanks, Leia”
Leia blinked up at him tweetly. “Eli, Noelle is also my sister. It’s the least I can do
Eli nodded, feeling reassured by her response. Leia really is such a kind girl. She’s always been my dear sister, he thought.
Turning back to Noelle, Eli tapped her lightly on the head and said, “What are you standing around for? It’s late. Go wash up and get some sleep”
It was 3am. There was still time for a quick nap after freshening up.
Noelle nodded. “Oh, okay”
“Leia, you should get some rest too,” Eli added.
“Alright. Eli” Leia followed him out of Noelle’s room
as a new
As they stepped into the hallway, Leia glanced back and saw Noelle yawning, her tired face still visible. A sly glint flickered in Leia’s eyes as idea began to take shape.
By 7:30 am, the Anderson family started gathering downstairs. Despite her exhaustion, Leia forced herself to get up.
Even though she’d stayed up until 5 am with Eli, skipping breakfast or sleeping in was unacceptable in the Anderson family. Being the perfect daughter, Leja couldn’t afford to tarnish her image.
She couldn’t spread the news about Noelle sneaking out, but if the family saw her up early while Noelle was still in bed, it would make her look better in their eyes.
Le smirked to herself, determined to win any advantage she could,
When she came downstairs, the room fell silent as everyone noticed her. “Leia, you’r
you’re up.” Kimberly said warmly, rising from the sofa with a smile.
Lela greeted everyone with her trademark obedient smile. “Good morning, everyone”
“Leia, didn’t you sleep well? You look tired,” Bennett asked, noticing the faint shadows under her eyes.
Leia nodded slightly “Yeah, a little.”
Kimberly approached her immediately, supporting her. “Why couldn’t you sleep, sweetheart? Are you feeling okay?
“Tan line, Mom..” Leia forced a smile, glancing quickly at Eli. With him present, she didn’t dare reveal the real reason.
At that moment, Damon scoffed, his tone dripping with disdain. “If Lela didn’t get a good night’s sleep, it’s probably because of someone. Everything was fine before, but now, someone’s here disrupting the peace. How could anyone sleep well like that?”
His meaning was obvious he was talking about Noelle
Eli’s expression darkened immediately. He shot Damon a glare. “Do you have to be so petty? Noelle is also our sister. She’s finally found her family –where else is she supposed to gort
Damon crossed his
„smirking. “Leia’s i my only sister. Noelle lus no place here.”
Ela elenched has fists, lis voler sharp. “Danton, you
Before the argument could escalate, Lria stepped She coughed lightly for added riles.
with a soft voice. “Don’t light, Damon, It’s not Noelle’s fault that I didn’t sleep well. It’s just me
At ilus, Damon immediately softened. He stepped closer to support Leia. “Alright, alright, I’ll drop it. Don’t push yourself, Leia.” Leia smiled sweetly, leaning on Damn “okay”
Chapter 17
Jasi then. Beimen glanced toward the stries “Speaking of which, why isn’t Noelle up yet?”
Hearing this, Damon let out a sarcastic chuckle. “That
at wild girl probably thinks she’s still living her old life. She won’t be up until noon if no one
Vincent’s brows furrowed at the comment. His tone was sharp as he said, “Whatever she was like before, it’s different now. She’s part of the Anderson family, so she needs to art like it. Someone go wake her up.”
The brothers exchanged looks, none eager to voluntert. After a moment, Eli sighed and stood up.
Just as Eli was about to leave, Damon seerrid, “Wow, Eli, you sure have a soft spot for that wild girl. Always ready to jump at her beck and call Who’s the deal! Do you like her that much?”
Eh’s face darkened, his temper flaring. He opened his mouth to retort, but before he could, a cheerful voice rang out from upstairs. “Oh Everyone’s already up?”
All heads turned to see Noelle coming down the stairs, beaming and full of energy. Her radiant smile was almost blinding as she said warmly. “Good morning, everyone!:
Leia froze in disbehet, wondering how Noelle could look so lively after sneaking out all night.
She had been banking on Noelle showing up tired and disheveled, which would’ve made others suspicious about what Noelle had been up to last meht Rai innead Noelle seemed fresh and carefree
“Don’t bounce around like that when you walk. What kind of behavior is that?” Vincent scolded, his tone sharp
Most people would’ve been cowed by Vincent’s sternness, but Noelle turned to him with the same bright smile and replied sweetly, “Got it, Dad” Something about her cheerfulness softened Vincent’s stern expression. After a brief pause, he said gently, “Good. Just don’t forget”
“Mm–hmm” Noelle nodded obediently, her smile unwavering
As breakfast was served, the family gathered around the table. As usual, most of the attention was on Leia, and only Eli sat beside Noelle Noticing this dynamic, Kimberly seemed momentarily conflicted. After some hesitation, she smiled at Noelle and said, “Noelle, why don’t you sit
Mom Damon exclaimed, clearly startled. His gaze darted toward Lela for her reaction.
Leia’s grip on her fork tightened, her knuckles turning white, but she managed a soft, reassuring smile. “Damon,” she said gently, “don’t overreact Noelle just got bark, so of course, Mom wants to bond with her.”
“Leia.” Hearing Leia’s calm response, Kimberly felt reassured. Once again, she thought Leia really was such a kind and understanding child. Noelle moved to sit beside Kimberly, flashing her another bright smile.
There was something disarming about Noelle’s smile–it carried a charm that softened even the hardest of hearts.
For amberly, it stirred unexpected emotions. Noelle might not have grown up with her, and they had only recently been reunited, but Noelle was still barn daughter by blood
Ferling a pang of guilt for her previous favorites, Kimbierly decided she needed to make an effort. “Noelle, what would you like to eat! Mom will get it for you,” the sad with a smile.
Without hesitation, Noelle replied, “Something with
Kimberly picked up a
meat, please!”
a sausage and placed it on Noelle’s plate. “Try this,” she said
Noelle’s eyes lit up at the sight of the sausage. Her smile grew even
even sweeter as she said in a soft voice, “Thank you, Mom!”
Kimberly’s heart fted at her tour and expression. She nodded her gaze soltening even further.
Watching this rachange from across the table, Leia felt a pang of jealousy twist in her chest.
She bat fer lip, her ilusats a storm of anger and resentment. they the bloom[5
As Leia’s minil clamped with bitterness, Eli suddenly spoke up. we stan thinking about griting her into schoolf
How could Moin act like this? Is she really going to take Noelle’s side just because
- up. “Oh, right,” he said, his tone casual but deliberate. “Now that Noelle’s back, shouldn’t
Dreame–Read Hom
9.25 AM &
Chapter 17
At hus words, all eyes turned to Noelle, who was happily munching on her sausage, seemingly oblivious to the sudden atten
If the background check they’d run was accurate, Noelle had dropped out before finishing middle school.
