Chapter 3 Jesse, Where’s Your Heart?
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Standing before her brothers, Jesse faced their furious stares head–on. Her face remained calm and composed, almost as if she were watching from a distance.
“Corey’s charm really works, doesn’t it? I’m handing it to her because I’m being sincere. That’s fair, isn’t it? If you’re going to dote on your adopted sister, then treat us the same. Whatever you give me, you should give her too.”
Their expressions shifted instantly.
That was the same line they had used to guilt her for years, yet hearing Jesse spit it back at them now felt like being slapped across the face.
She’s the one who’s supposed to be wrong, yet somehow it feels like she’s pointing the finger at all of us. Corey’s jaw tightened, his tone sharp. “Jesse, do you even understand what you’re doing?”
I got that charm just for her. Now she dares to use it to accuse us of favoritism?
Andrew’s disapproval showed plain on his face. “Jesse, you’re out of line.”
Kaleb snorted, arms crossed. “Why can’t you be more like Taylor? She actually knows how to behave.”
Jesse mocked, “So, even this isn’t enough?”
Not a word came from them, only deeper frowns. In their minds, she was putting on a show. All they ever asked for was a simple apology.
“Fine. Take this then.” Jesse yanked out a wooden box, cracked it open, and shook everything onto the floor.
The pink diamond necklace Edward had given her, Andrew’s medical patent, Mike’s meteorite crystal, Kaleb’s championship medal–everything clattered to the floor at her feet.
Her brothers went pale. She used to treat those like treasures, the gifts we gave her over the years. Now, she just dumps them like they’re nothing. What’s she playing at?
Mike’s temper exploded first. “The only reason we’re good to Taylor is to cover for you! And this is how you repay us?”
Jesse’s eyes turned icy. “Cover for what?”
He felt his breath catch. No response came to him. His anger surged past the hesitation, and his hand came down with a thud.
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Chapter 3 Jesse, Where’s Your Heart?
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The slap cracked across her cheek, sending her reeling until her shoulder slammed against the
wall.
“Ah!” Jesse gasped, her teeth gritting as she clamped down on the pain.
The boys were stunned into silence. Jesse had always been overprotected. Even a small scratch would have her rushing to the hospital, complaining until the doctor patched her up. He often teased her, saying her wounds would heal before she even reached the clinic.
Yet this time, she stayed silent.
That silence made guilt flicker across their faces.
Taylor spotted it. Her expression softened immediately, her voice low and soothing. “Jesse, are you alright? Don’t keep quiet just to act tough. Let us know if you’re in pain. Don’t be upset with Mike–he only lost his temper because he cares about you. Just apologize. He doesn’t mean to harm you.”
Mike’s guilt evaporated. His glare hardened again. “She doesn’t care about us at all! Her heart’s like stone!”
Jesse steadied herself, then snapped her head up, her swollen cheek flushing a bright red. Her eyes burned into Mike’s, then swept across the room.
“So, what exactly is my sin here? Philip died for me, and suddenly I’m Taylor’s slave forever? She gets my chances, my work, my life? Is that the logic you’re running with?”
Mike’s hand clenched tightly, his voice quivering with anger. “You’re twisted! That’s what you are. We only asked for one thing–a simple apology! Nobody said you had to die for it!”
Everyone fell silent, their eyes locked on Jesse. No one noticed how pale Taylor had gone at the mention of Philip’s death.
She remembers? Taylor thought. No… she couldn’t. She was drugged. She shouldn’t know anything.
Only Jesse noticed the fear flicker across Taylor’s face. She sneered. “What if Philip’s death wasn’t an accident?”
Taylor’s body stiffened, terror surging through her. She knows. She actually knows.
“No!” she cried out, dropping to the floor. She clutched her head, rocking as if the words were knives in her ears. I’m done!
“Enough!” Corey and Andrew rushed to her side, their voices shaking as they tried to console
her.
“Philip burned to save you, and you’re still stabbing at Taylor with cruel words? Jesse, do
you
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Chapter 3 Jesse, Where’s Your Heart?
even have a heart?” Mike’s eyes burned crimson, his arm lifting again.
Aa
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Before he could strike, Jesse snatched up the box at her feet and flung it at him. “You want to hit me again?”
Mike froze, his hand hovering mid–air.
“Mike!” Taylor screamed, her voice cracking as she tried to stop Jesse from saying anything else. Her breathing was a series of broken sobs, her body shaking with fear.
“What’s done is done,” she choked. “I know you blame yourself, Jesse. If saying these things helps you… then just pretend my brother was…” She stopped, covering her face with her hands as tears flowed down her cheeks.
To the boys, she was the picture of grief.
“Jesse!” Mike thundered, his anger erupting. He thought, If Taylor isn’t sobbing like that, I’ll already
be on her.
Jesse stood tall, her cheek swollen, her voice icy.
“I’ll remember that slap.” Her gaze cut to Taylor. “Everything on the floor? It’s yours now.”
That meant the trinkets. That meant the brothers. She was done with it all.
Without another word, she turned and walked away.
“Jesse, get back here!” Mike bellowed. His rage boiled over. That wasn’t an apology at all. Jesse didn’t just choose not to apologize–she cut Taylor deeper instead!
In the past, Jesse had always feared his temper. One shout from him and she would freeze, turn back, and coax him sweetly, ‘Don’t be mad, Mike.‘
This time, she didn’t even glance back. She walked straight out of the Spencer Residence without a word.
Her brothers stood there, gazing after her as she walked away.
She’s changed, they realized. She isn’t the fragile, spoiled girl anymore. She doesn’t care about us at all.
A sudden hollowness spread through their chests, leaving them empty.
Taylor saw it. She bit her lip, keeping her face calm while her thoughts sprinted ahead. She remembers. She’s different now. If I don’t twist this, they’ll see the truth. They’ll write me off as just the adopted one. No way I’m letting that happen.
Her tears spilled again as she whispered, “Don’t blame Jesse. She only left because of me. Please,
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bring her back. It’s my fault–I stole her place. I… I just miss
my
brother…”
Those words broke them to pieces.
“We’re your brothers now. Jesse doesn’t deserve us! From today on, you’re the only sister we recognize!” Mike’s voice cracked like an oath as he pulled Taylor into his arms.
Corey frowned at his impulsiveness but didn’t stop him. The others stayed silent, silently agreeing.
Taylor leaned into Mike’s chest, a tiny triumphant smile slipping through her tears.
Send Gifts
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