Mom Came Back From the Dead to Warn Me About the Boy I Almost Chose Chapter 04

Mom Came Back From the Dead to Warn Me About the Boy I Almost Chose Chapter 04

Leo had just started to move when Lily clung tightly to his arm. “Leo, I’m scared. Don’t leave me, okay?”

That moment of hesitation was all it took.

The broom handle slammed into my arm. The bandage I had just gotten wrapped soaked through with fresh blood, and the pain made my eyes water instantly.

“This is outrageous!” my mom fumed. “That brat has been pretending so long he’s forgotten he has a conscience. You’ve treated him so well, and he’s just going to stand there and let you get hurt?”

I could barely stay on my feet, but I still forced out one last cry. “Leo, it hurts so much. Please help me!”

Before I could finish, Lily suddenly screamed.

Another older student charged straight at them. Leo immediately pulled Lily behind him and ran without even looking back.

I stared at their retreating figures, my chest tightening like it was being pierced.

Even if he didn’t want to play with me anymore, we had grown up together.

When it came down to it, he wouldn’t even reach out a hand to help me?

Suddenly, a figure rushed forward.

With one swift kick, he knocked the attacker away from me.

Elias pulled me to my feet and shielded me as he guided me toward the school building. “Come on, let’s go!”

By the time the teachers arrived and broke up the fight, I was still shaken, sitting by the flower bed and trembling.

Elias quietly handed me a bottle of water, his expression complicated as he looked at me.

That was when I noticed his sleeve had been torn in the chaos, revealing a scar underneath.

“Your arm…” I said softly.

“I’m fine.” He quickly pulled his sleeve down. “Drink some water first.”

I thanked him quietly, a small warmth spreading through my chest.

It didn’t take long for my dad to hear about what happened.

He was furious and immediately went to confront their parents.

The Harrington family quickly confined Lily at home as punishment and even sent over a box of imported chocolates as an apology.

That evening, Leo showed up at my place, clearly unwilling, and tossed a bag of snacks onto the table. “Claire, what happened today had nothing to do with Lily. Why did you get her grounded?”

I raised my bandaged arm. “Take a good look.”

Leo paused for a moment, then shot back, “You’re fine, aren’t you? Everyone knows your dad dotes on you. Someone will always take care of you. But Lily only has me.”

“You saw what happened today. She almost got hurt too. Can you stop targeting her all the time? Go tell your dad to lift her punishment. Otherwise, I’m not being your brother anymore.”

He said it with complete confidence, as if he were certain I would give in.

“So shameless,” my mom muttered.

I was completely disappointed in him. I didn’t even feel like arguing anymore. “I have homework to do. You should leave.”

As the housekeeper escorted him out, Leo threw one last angry line over his shoulder. “Claire, you’re going to regret this!”

The next day, my dad hosted a lively gathering in the Fort Valerius auditorium, inviting all the kids from the residential district.

I put on my favorite floral dress and walked into the hall, only to freeze in surprise.

Lily was there.

She was supposed to be grounded, yet here she was in a brand-new princess dress, sticking her tongue out at me smugly.

“Leo must have found a way to sneak her out,” my mom scoffed. “Funny how he never went to this much trouble for you in your past life.”

When Leo saw me, he immediately turned his head away and started chatting loudly with Lily on purpose.

The other kids whispered among themselves.

“Why is Leo ignoring Claire? He’s been hanging out with Lily a lot.”

“Doesn’t Claire like Leo the most? She’s definitely going to pick him as her brother today, right?”

Elias stood quietly in the corner. When he heard them, he shot the group a cold glare, and they quickly scattered.

My dad led me to the center of the stage with a warm smile and handed me a bright red microphone. “Claire, today you get to tell everyone yourself who you’ve chosen as your brother.”

“Okay.”

I took the microphone and noticed Leo staring at me nervously, while Lily clutched his sleeve tightly.

I gave him a small smile, took a deep breath, and spoke clearly into the mic.

“Thank you all for coming today.”

The hall fell silent instantly, all eyes on me.

Leo straightened unconsciously, while Lily tugged at his sleeve anxiously.

“And now,” my voice rang out through the auditorium, “I’m going to announce… my choice for my brother is…”