Reborn: Exposing My Adopted Sister’s Plot
Chapter 2 She’s Done with Brothers
+8 Pearls
With every step, Jesse felt the weight of fever and dizziness as she made her way down the hall. She paused outside Taylor’s bedroom, where the sound of laughter, full of life and joy, spilled out from behind the closed door.
Mike reached it first and pushed the door wide.
Inside, the scene turned Jesse’s stomach. Taylor was sitting in the middle of the room, surrounded by her brothers, as if she were some fragile treasure.
The moment Jesse appeared, Taylor flinched. She ducked away from Andrew’s hand as he tried to offer her medicine, shrinking back like she didn’t dare upset Jesse.
Warmth in the room vanished in an instant. Everyone’s gaze turned to the door, and their eyes locked onto Jesse, as if they expected her to lash out at Taylor right there.
Taylor was the first to speak. “Jesse, you came!”
Her voice carried sweetness, yet her smile seemed strained, almost fearful. To the boys, it looked like Taylor was forcing herself to be polite to the terrifying sister she had to live with.
Andrew’s brows knitted. “Since you came to apologize, at least wipe that scowl off your face. Taylor doesn’t need more stress from you.”
Jesse gave a dry laugh. Sick as I am, he still calls it attitude? Of course he does.
Corey’s voice was like a knife. “If you can’t apologize properly, turn around and go back to your room. No forgiveness from Taylor, no freedom for you.”
The meaning was clear. Forget about the competition.
Jesse’s lips curved in the faintest smile.
That so–called competition was actually Mike’s drone model contest. She was supposed to be on the main team, but the moment Taylor showed interest, Jesse got pushed to the side, left with repairs and menial tasks.
Once upon a time, she would’ve swallowed it all without complaint. She had loved her brothers too much, willing to sacrifice herself for them.
Now Corey dared to dangle that contest over her head?
Ha. Not this life. I’m not their doormat anymore. From now on, I live for myself.
“I don’t think that contest is worth much,” she shot back flatly.
1/4
9:52 Mon, Oct 20
Chapter 2 She’s Done with Brothers
:
95
+8 Pearls
“Jesse!” Corey’s voice cracked with fury, veins pulsing at his temples. When did she turn so sharp?
Taylor tugged gently at his sleeve, tears gathering in her eyes. “Corey, don’t be angry at Jesse. She must be upset you gave me her project. It’s my fault. I should be the one apologizing.”
Her frail body slumped forward, as if she might fall from the strain of standing.
“Taylor!” the boys cried together, panic flooding their voices.
Andrew caught her quickly. “You’re still sick. Don’t get up.”
Every one of them crowded around her, fussing like she might shatter. Not a single glance went Jesse’s way.
After the boys had fussed over her for a bit, Taylor turned her attention to Jesse. She spoke in a soft, trembling voice, “If you’re mad, just tell me. I won’t mess with your work again. As sisters, we should work things out.”
Jesse’s laugh was cold. “You’re right about one thing. I can’t stand it when my work gets and destroyed.”
Taylor’s eyes welled instantly. “Jesse, that’s cruel.”
“Didn’t you say you wanted the truth?” Jesse retorted.
stolen
Mike’s glare hardened. “Haven’t you hurt Taylor enough? Now you want her to apologize to you? Jesse, where’s your conscience? What would Philip think if he saw this?”
Jesse’s gaze narrowed on Taylor.
She killed her own brother and took everything from me. Now his name’s on the table, and what do I see? No guilt, no shame–just that slight smug curl at the corner of her mouth.
Her silence stretched. Mike lost patience and shoved her hard. “If you’re going to apologize, do it properly! What’s with that look? Trying to intimidate Taylor while we’re standing here?”
The shove almost sent her crashing, but Jesse caught herself against the wall.
Mike’s tone was full of contempt. “Quit acting weak to dodge this. You slept cozily in bed for hours while Taylor froze in the bathroom, and now you’ve got the nerve to play the victim?”
He reached for her again. “Apologize. Now.”
“Don’t touch me,” Jesse stepped back, her voice as cold as ice. She shut her eyes, drew in a steady breath, then let the words slip out. “Fine. I’m sorry.”
2/4
9:52 Mon, Oct 20
Chapter 2 She’s Done with Brothers
95
+8 Pearls
“What’s the point?” Kaleb’s voice interrupted with a sneer. “Words don’t mean anything. If you want to make it right, give Taylor your spot in the international competition. That’s the bare minimum.”
The others didn’t object. Their silence was agreement.
A memory stabbed at her–the last life. Three days sick in bed, no one cared; her place was stolen without even telling her. Their excuse? She was avoiding Taylor, too stubborn to apologize. They’d given it away “for her own good.”
Even now, with her standing right here, they still wanted to take it.
“Kaleb, don’t,” Taylor whispered. “I can’t take Jesse’s place.”
“You can,” Kaleb insisted. “After all she’s done, it’s only fair to let her give it up.”
Jesse’s lips twisted into a mocking smile. “Just giving her my place won’t cut it.”
The air tightened. For once, they weren’t sure what she was planning.
Jesse slipped a red charm from her pocket.
Every Spencer knew exactly what it was. The lucky charm Corey had picked up for her at a church fair before her final exam. On the way home, he had even crashed his car and hurt his leg. Jesse had cried for days and promised to keep that charm safe forever.
She made good on that promise. For five years, it remained spotless and cherished like a
treasure.
When the younger brothers asked for their own charms, Corey just laughed and brushed them off. “Don’t compare. Jesse’s special–my one and only sister.”
Now, Jesse threw the charm in Taylor’s direction like it was nothing. “If Taylor’s been through all that, she should’ve gotten this.”
Taylor caught it, triumph flashing in her eyes before she masked it with trembling lips. “I shouldn’t take this. I can’t… I’m not really your sister…”
The boys rushed over to comfort her. “Don’t say that. We took you in and you’re family now.”
All at once, their eyes snapped to Jesse. “What’s your problem, Jesse? Why are you putting Taylor down like this?”
Jesse mocked, “If she doesn’t have the skill to win, then let luck carry her. If luck isn’t enough, she can always beg for a miracle.”
3/4
9:52 Mon, Oct 20
95
Reborn: Exposing My Adopted Sister’s Plot
