He Brought Me Home, But Never Made Me Family Chapter 02

He Brought Me Home, But Never Made Me Family Chapter 02

He clearly did not understand what I meant.

His voice went stiff right away.

“Willa, Isla’s been really sensitive these past few years. She feels like she took your place, so she’s scared.”

“It’s better for everyone if you two keep some distance until she feels more secure.”

I let out a soft laugh.

“No. I meant I’m going back to my adoptive…”

Before I could finish, Isla’s voice came through the phone.

“Adrian, does this outfit look good for the send-off brunch?”

Adrian’s voice softened instantly.

“It looks great. Those heels are a little high, though. I’m worried you’ll have trouble walking.”

“You’ll be there, right? If I stumble, you can just carry me like you did when we were kids.”

They both laughed.

Their laughter cut straight through me.

Only after Isla’s heels clicked away did Adrian remember the call was still going.

“Sorry, I thought you hung up.”

He paused, then continued like nothing had happened.

“How do you want to do your graduation dinner? At home, or with some friends?”

I had no energy left.

“No need to bother.”

“It’s not a bother.” Adrian’s voice dropped. “Our parents always wanted to see you grow up. Don’t you want them to see it too?”

My birth parents never recovered after losing me.

Years later, they died in a car accident.

Adrian said they kept calling my name on their deathbeds, hoping I would come home.

Something in my chest twisted.

My voice softened too.

“Then you handle it.”

The call ended.

Adrian sent me the details for the graduation dinner.

Isla’s was at noon in two days.

Mine was in the evening.

But when the day came, I waited until ten thirty, and no one showed up.

I went from excited, to nervous, to calm, and finally to bitter.

When the server came by one last time, I said, “You can clear the table.”

I was about to leave when Adrian rushed in with a few people.

All strangers.

He glanced at the empty table, and his face tightened slightly.

“Sorry, Willa. The event in the main ballroom ran late.”

He stepped aside and introduced them, his voice steady.

“They’re family friends. They can sit with you for a while.”

I looked at him.

“So no one else is coming, right?”

Adrian’s gaze faltered.

“They’ll be here.”

As if he did not believe it himself, he added, “Soon.”

His phone rang right then.

Isla’s spoiled, whiny voice came through.

“Adrian, where are you?”

Adrian looked down, his voice gentle again.

“I’ll be right back.”

He hung up, then turned to me with that polite mask back in place.

“Wait for me.”

Then he turned and left.

He did not look back.

A few people I had never met sat awkwardly across from me.

We ate in silence, forcing small talk every now and then.

When I came back from the restroom, I overheard them whispering.

“I thought we’d be in the main ballroom. Ended up stuck over here.”

Someone laughed quietly.

“You wanted to go to Isla’s side? Last time you mentioned Willa in front of her, she cried on the spot. Adrian killed two of your family’s deals over it.”

The guy shut up immediately.

Another person added slowly, “Sitting here is already Adrian doing us a favor. Once she gets back, we’ll find an excuse to leave.”

My heart sank.

These people were not here to meet me.

They had only been sent to me because Isla did not want to see them.

I thought about the main ballroom I had passed earlier.

A five-tier floral cake.

Gold-rimmed place settings.

Gift bags for everyone.

Even the staff got generous tips.

Of course, this plain side dining room could not compare.

If I were them, I would not want to stay here either.

I pretended I had not heard anything and pushed the door open.

I smiled at them.

“If you have somewhere to be, you can go.”

Their faces relaxed.

I grabbed my bag, my voice calm.

“I was about to leave too.”

Relief washed over their faces.

They thanked me and hurried out.

The private room fell silent.

I walked back to the head seat and looked at the full table of food.

I forced it down bite by bite.

The oysters were cold and salty.

Nothing like the roast chicken Mom used to make.