Sixteen Years Waiting, Still Below the Dog Chapter 06

Sixteen Years Waiting, Still Below the Dog Chapter 06

Back in Everden, my mother stood frozen for a long time after the call.

My father frowned. What did Mom say

My mother turned to him, her lips moving stiffly.

The coin… It really was from Mom. We hit the wrong person.

My father’s face darkened. He turned and looked at Silas and Brielle.

Then who actually took the coin

Silas was busy with his handheld console. He didn’t even look up.

Didn’t we already say That country pup stole it. We found it in her bag. What else is there to ask

Your grandmother says she gave that thousand marks to Sunny.

Silas’s hands paused for a second. Then his eyes darted.

Gran’s lying. She’s obviously protecting her.

Brielle jumped in too.

Yeah! Gran always favored her. Of course she’d lie for her.

My mother frowned.

Why would Gran lie over a thousand marks

My father slammed the table. The coffee cup jumped and clattered.

I’m asking one more time. Who took the coin

Silas clenched his jaw and said nothing.

My mother walked over, grabbed his console, and scrolled through the purchase history.

The records were crystal clear–six in–game purchases, adding up to exactly a thousand marks. All from yesterday afternoon.

She threw the console onto the sofa, her voice unsteady.

You took them.

And you watched Sunny get beaten like that… and said nothing

Silas stiffened his neck and argued back.

You’re the ones who hit her. That’s got nothing to do with me. Besides, you don’t even like her, right

Now that she’s gone, isn’t that better for everyone

My father’s face went purple. He raised his hand and slapped Silas across the face.

You little bastard. She’s your sister!

Silas’s cheek swelled instantly. He clutched his face and glared at my father, then slammed his bedroom door, rattling the whole frame.

My mother flinched.

She remembered the sound of the iron rod hitting me last night. The silver wire tearing my skin. Something twisted hard in her chest.

We wronged Sunny. We should go get her tomorrow.

My father was silent for a long time. Then he nodded.

The next morning, my parents‘ carriage pulled up outside the gate.

Gran was sitting in the yard, drying herbs. When she heard the carriage, she looked up, and her face went

ice–cold.

What are you doing here

My mother forced a smile.

Mom, we came to take Sunny home.

My father nodded too.

Mom, we didn’t look into what happened yesterday. We wronged Sunny.

We’re here specifically to pick her up. From now on, we’ll treat her right…

Treat her right

Gran let out a bitter laugh.

A four–bedroom house, and you gave her the sunroom. You beat her with a silver–wrapped iron rod. And you call that treating her right

Get out Sunny doesn’t need you anymore.

My father opened his mouth but couldn’t find the words.

My mother cleared her throat from behind.

Mom, it’s better for Sunny to be with us. The Pack schools in Everden are much better than Brackenfield

Gran’s eyes went red.

So you admit Everden is better Then why didn’t you come get her all those years

Do you know how much that child wanted you to come back for her She’d sit at the door every single day.

rain or shine, waiting.

And when you finally took her, you beat her black and blue. You don’t deserve to be parents!

My parents‘ faces flushed and paled by turns. They had nothing to say.

I stood in the kitchen doorway, watching them quietly.

My mother saw me. Her eyes lit up, and she hurried over.

Sunny, come back with Mom.

Mom knows she was wrong. We’ll get you a proper room this time. We won’t let you suffer anymore.

She reached for my hand. I stepped back.

I’m not going back.

You live your lives, I’m staying with Gran.

My mother froze. Annoyance flickered across her face.

My father frowned, his tone hardening again.

Sunny, we came all the way to get you. What’s with the attitude

Your mother already apologized. What more do you want

Gran had heard enough. She grabbed the broom from the corner and swung it at them.

Get out! All of you, get out!

Don’t ever bother my granddaughter again!

The broom came down on them again and again. My father blocked a couple of hits, backing away.

My mother caught a swipe on her arm and winced in pain.

They scrambled out the gate, and Gran slammed it shut.

From outside came my mother’s voice.

How can Sunny be so ungrateful It was just a misunderstanding. Why can’t she let it go…

Gran set the broom down and looked at me, her eyes full of sorrow.

Sunny, don’t be scared. As long as Gran’s here, nobody’s going to hurt you.

I nodded, my eyes burning.

Gran, I’ll get into a top Pack Academy someday. I’ll make coin. And I’ll buy you a big house.

Gran laughed. And then she cried.

Okay. Gran will wait for that.