My Brother Said I Was Family But He Never Gave Me a Home Chapter 05

My Brother Said I Was Family But He Never Gave Me a Home Chapter 05

Sophia laughed. “Promise?” 

He tapped her on the nose affectionately. “Promise, you spoiled brat. Now rest.” 

“You better get better soon, or I’m taking someone else on that trip to Paris.” 

A cold draft slipped through the crack in the door and seeped into my bones. 

I was gripping the keys so hard they bit into my 

palm. 

I slowly opened my hand and saw blood, and 

laughed. 

What was the point of holding onto something that would never open a door for me? 

I left the keys at the nurses‘ station and asked 

them to give them to Christopher. 

I went back to the apartment and picked up my 

suitcase. 

As I closed the door, he appeared, guilt written all 

over his face. 

“Did you leave the keys? Did you hear something?” 

I studied him carefully, dark circles under his eyes, exhaustion etched into his face. 

We shared bone structure, the same blood. But 

the way we lived, the environments we had grown up in, had shaped us differently. 

He wasn’t what I wanted in a family. 

“I’m going home. Here are your keys.” 

Panic flickered across his face. “What home? This 

is your home. Your adoptive parents don’t share your blood. What can they give you?” 

When I didn’t respond, he rubbed his forehead. 

“I’m not trying to yell. I just need you to be understanding, don’t hold a grudge against 

someone who’s sick. Give me more time. I won’t 

let you get hurt again.” 

It was the first time he had spoken to me like that. 

But I just wanted to go home, to leave a house 

where I wasn’t welcome. 

What part of that wasn’t understanding? 

My chest tightened and loosened. But at least the 

part that still cared about him was mostly gone. 

Before I could speak, a girl’s voice called up from 

downstairs. 

“Christopher, hurry up. We’re going to miss our 

flight.” 

His expression softened. 

“I’m taking her on a trip. Clear her head. If you 

want to stay with your adoptive parents for a few 

days, go ahead. I’ll come get you when I’m back.” 

“Don’t worry about the residency, I’ll handle it. 

You’ll get into school.” 

Just then, Michael ran upstairs. 

“Emily, what are you doing standing here? We’ve 

been waiting for you.” 

The two of them locked eyes, both uncomfortable. 

Christopher grabbed my suitcase before Michael 

could. “I’ll walk you down.” 

Two cars were parked outside the building. 

Sophia sat in the Mercedes Maybach up front. Her smile froze when she saw me, and she quietly 

rolled up the window. 

Christopher caught the small movement and 

looked flustered. 

“Call me if you need anything. I’ll come get you soon. Thank you for looking after her.” 

Robert and Linda smiled. “She’s family. No need to thank us. Once we establish her residency, you’re welcome to visit her anytime.” 

Christopher’s eyes went wide. “Residency? What residency?” 

Before they could answer, Sophia stuck her head out of the car, annoyed. “Christopher, are you coming or not?” 

He hesitated for a second and glanced at me. “Wait for me to come back, I’ll handle your residency. Don’t worry.” 

He nodded goodbye and hurried to the car. 

The car drove off in the opposite direction from 

ours. 

In the moment our eyes met, he was already looking down, comforting a sulking Sophia. 

He didn’t see me say goodbye. 

But that was fine, from now on, you keep the only 

sister you’ve ever wanted. 

And I’ll go back to the family where I’m actually 

happy.