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Archie was all set to rush home and check if anything was missing when he ran into Andrew just outside the hospital room.
“Where are you off to?” Andrew asked.
Archie quickly shared his theory and complained, “That brat’s been acting so weird lately–never listens anymore. If she really stole from home to pay for this fancy room, I’m gonna teach her a lesson.”
But Andrew just smirked. “Why bother checking? Whether something’s missing or not, if we say she stole, then she stole. It’s that simple.”
Archie stared for a second, then broke into a grin. “You’re right. Let’s do it.”
Alicia had just returned to the hospital entrance when Andrew and Archie stepped forward, clearly waiting for
her.
“Alicia! You’ve got some nerve stealing from your own family!” Archie shouted the moment he saw her.
They’d chosen the busy entrance on purpose–more people to witness her humiliation.
Alicia looked up calmly. Archie’s face was twisted with anger. “If you needed something, you could’ve asked. Why steal?”
He’d said “steal” twice now loudly enough for everyone in the lobby–patients, visitors, staff—to hear. Heads turned. Eyes narrowed.
Alicia felt a familiar rage burn in her chest. They’d done this to her so many times before. In the past, she’d stay silent because arguing back only made it worse- “How dare you talk back after what you did!” So she’d swallow the injustice and take the blame.
She’d carried their secrets and their lies for years.
When Archie broke their father’s favorite vase–he said she did it.
When Aaron mixed makeup remover into Maria’s foundation and embarrassed her publicly–Alicia was beaten for it.
When Andrew scratched up the leather sofa with his toys–he pointed at her.
Every time she took the blame for them, they’d call her a “good girl.” As she grew older, desperate to win their approval, she became even more compliant–agreeing with whatever they said, never talking back, never arguing.
She thought if she pleased them enough, they’d finally love her. She craved their approval—their affection— so badly.
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Chapter 34
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But all she ever got was hit. And over time, they didn’t even thank her anymore. They just expected it
Two years ago, Andrew got into race car driving. He stole money from Maria to rent a car–and let Alicia take the blame.
That time, she was beaten so badly she almost died.
Looking back, she felt stupid. So stupid. Love and family couldn’t be earned by swallowing humiliation.
Well, not anymore.
She met Archie’s glare coldly. “Whose money did I steal? Tell me.”
“Ours! The family’s!” he shot back, chin raised.
Andrew jumped in, adding fuel to the fire. “Face it, Alicia–you’re a thief.”
He turned to the crowd that had gathered, raising his voice. “Hey, everyone–keep an eye on your stuff! This girl’s been staying here, and she’s a pro. Been stealing since she was a kid.”
People immediately clutched their bags tighter. A few stepped back.
“Wow, she looks so sweet though.”
“Guess you really can’t tell by looks.”
“Thieves are the worst. My cousin’s hospital money got stolen last week–imagine how low you gotta be?”
Whispers and stares shot through the crowd.
Andrew and Archie exchanged smug looks. Perfect.
Archie seethed inside. This is what she gets for not playing along anymore. If she’d just stayed quiet and obedient like before, he wouldn’t have lost his whole allowance this month after scratching Dad’s car.
He could’ve pinned it on her like always, kept his 3k, and who knows–maybe even tossed her a couple hundred for her trouble.
But she had to go and grow a backbone. So now she’d learn.
They’d always thought she never fought back because she was slow–too dumb to talk her way out of things, That’s why they were so bold now.
Alicia just laughed coldly. “Got any proof? And since I’m such a habitual thief, what exactly did I steal?”
“You stole Mom’s money! You almost got beaten to death, remember? Andrew said, looking pleased with himself.
Alicia smiled. “Did I, though? You know who really took it. And I’ve still got the transfer records to prove it.”
Andrew’s face went white. Yeah–he’d sent the money from Mom’s account to hers first, then had her forward
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Chapter 34
it to him. All to make her take the fall.
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