I Stole My Brother’s Destiny Chapter 05

I Stole My Brother’s Destiny Chapter 05

Peter stormed in, anger written all over his face.

Right behind him was Ben, who must’ve sensed something was wrong and rushed back to get help.

The moment they saw me, both of them froze.

Ben hurried over and helped me up, his voice sharp with anger.

“She’s running a high fever, and this is how you treat her? Have you lost your mind?”

Joe pressed his lips together, ignoring him completely. His eyes stayed fixed on Peter.

“Commander Howell, this is a family matter. We don’t air this kind of thing in public. You don’t need to get involved.”

Before, he never would’ve spoken to his superior like that. But now, convinced there was something between Peter and me,

there was a bite to his tone.

Peter didn’t even hesitate. He brought his cane down hard against the back of Joe’s knee.

“Family matter? I know exactly what’s going through your head, you sick brat!”

Joe winced, his leg giving out as he dropped to one knee.

Felicity couldn’t stay lying down anymore. She had already figured out Peter wasn’t someone ordinary. Her eyes shimmered,

tears welling up in an instant.

“Commander Howell, you’ve got it wrong. Mae’s had rumors about her at school before. Joe’s just worried about her. He’s not thinking anything improper.”

When Joe saw her cry, his heart softened immediately. He rushed to defend her. “Commander Howell, what Felicity said is true. Maegan is always up to no good. I was worried she might have tricked you.”

“Tricked, my foot!”

Sarah’s voice cut in as she stepped into the room, unable to hold back.

“Let me make this clear! Maegan saved my husband’s life. We owe her a great deal. We’ve already decided to take her in as our god-granddaughter. Whatever nonsense you’re thinking, you can stop right now.”

She pointed straight at Felicity, who had gone pale.

“And you. I’ve seen all kinds of people in my life. I know exactly who’s up to no good. You’re a foster daughter, yet you spend your time stirring things up, driving a wedge between Maegan and Joe. What exactly are you trying to do?”

Felicity had never been spoken to like that, let alone have her intentions called out so plainly.

This time, the tears were real. She clutched Joe’s sleeve, her voice trembling.

“Joe, I didn’t. I really didn’t…”

Joe looked like his heart was breaking. He glared at Sarah.

“Mrs. Howell, I respect you, but you had no right to say that about my sister. You don’t know the truth. Maegan’s the one who doesn’t belong here. Felicity is my real sister!”

The words he had been holding in for years finally came out.

Back when our mother died, William had taken him aside and told him that the girl he had treasured all his life wasn’t even his mother’s child.

He said that I had been switched at birth and brought into the Castros. Felicity, the one he had just taken in, was his real sister.

“Dad said he raised you all these years to protect you from rumors. That’s why he never told anyone the truth. You owe Felicity. You were never one of us!”

He looked at me with nothing but disgust.

He thought that, knowing all this, I would panic, break down, and end up at his feet, begging him not to throw me out.

Instead, I laughed.

I laughed so hard that my whole body shook, until it turned into coughing that I couldn’t stop.

So that was it.

That was why.

No wonder Joe had changed so suddenly. No wonder, after Felicity died last time, he wanted me to pay with my life.

Everyone in the room stared at me, startled by my maniacal laughter.

Sarah gently patted my back, worried I had been pushed too far.

“Don’t worry. Even if you’re not part of the Castros, you’ve got us. We won’t abandon you.”

Warmth spread through my chest, and I slowly steadied myself.

Then I looked straight at Joe.

“Did you ever take a DNA test?”

He froze.

“Dad did one with Felicity. Isn’t that enough?”

I let out a small, humorless smile and glanced past him at Felicity, who was trembling.

“Did you ever test Dad and me? Are you sure I’m not actually their daughter?”

Even Peter caught on at that point.

But Joe didn’t.

He frowned.

“What are you trying to say?”

Peter let out a cold laugh. “You still don’t get it? She’s saying Felicity might be your father’s kid, but that doesn’t mean she’s your mother’s.”

Sarah looked between us, then nodded. “That’s right. You and Mae look almost identical. Felicity, on the other hand, only looks like your dad.”

Joe fell silent.

He looked like he couldn’t process it.

Felicity was crying so hard that she could barely breathe.

“Commander Howell, Mrs. Howell, I know you don’t like me, but you can’t just make things up about my father and me!”

Sarah gave a faint, knowing smile. “Make things up? If you’ve got nothing to hide, then take a test.”

Felicity froze, as if her throat had been locked tight. The tears just hung there, neither falling nor stopping.

When Joe saw her reaction, he seemed to realize something, and his face darkened.

Peter had no interest in dragging it out any longer. He simply had someone escort them both out.

As they were being taken away, he looked at Joe and said one last thing.

“I’ll be reporting your absence from duty. You’ve got eyes, but you’re blind where it counts. You’re stubborn and set in your ways. I’m very disappointed in you.”