Chapter 36: Up in Flames
Elsie anxiously rubbed Lily’s back, trying to soothe her breathing, her own eyes welling up with tears. “Sis, look what you’ve done! You made Mom this mad—just apologize to her already!”
Owen slammed his hand down on the dining table. “Yunice! Are you seriously not going to bring out Dad’s things? Do you want to drive Mom to the hospital before you’re satisfied?”
Elsie was secretly delighted. Earlier at the hotel, Quinton had asked Yunice several times about the origin of that notebook—it was clear he was very interested in the Saunders family’s ancient texts. And if those texts ended up in her hands, there wasn’t a single resource she wouldn’t be able to trade them for. Even foreign hospitals had been trying to get their hands on the doctor’s methods.
While Lily wept and Owen fumed, Yunice remained calm and composed. That indifference only made their rage burn hotter. Before they could explode, Yunice turned to Lily and asked, “Didn’t Dad tell you where I hid the texts when he came to you in that dream?”
Owen slammed the table again. “Watch your tone, Yunice!”
Yunice looked at him. “Dad really did leave the texts to me. But three years ago, I was dragged straight from the living room to the psych ward. I didn’t take a single thing from the house. It’s been three years—how would I know where the texts are now?”
Owen was momentarily stunned, his bluster dimming. “Then where did you put them three years ago?”
Yunice glanced at Elsie. “In my room, of course.”
That room was now Elsie’s. As everyone turned to look at her, Yunice added, “But it’s been three years. Who knows if they disappeared like my old agarwood bracelet did?”
Elsie quickly denied it, “I’ve never even seen those texts—”
Yunice cut her off with a cold laugh. “Exactly. It’s not like anyone took inventory of my room back then. Who’s to say what’s missing or added now?”
Elsie was practically sobbing, tugging on Owen’s sleeve with both hands. “Owen, you believe me, right? I didn’t steal anything!”
Yunice spoke before Owen could defend her. “There are security cameras in this house. Ever since I got back, I haven’t gone upstairs, right?”
Lily latched onto her point. “But I saw you digging something up in the yard the other day…”
Yunice replied, “You already checked that box. It was just my childhood doodles.”
Lily’s tears clung to her lashes. She paused, then sighed. “I know you can’t bear to give the texts back to me. But what about the notebook Owen mentioned—can you at least let me take a look at that?”
Her gaze landed on the crossbody bag Yunice always carried. Yunice’s fingers tightened around the strap. Faced with the three of them closing in, she forced a dry smile, swallowing her—
Just as Lily reached for it, Yunice opened it herself, showing them their father’s handwriting. “This is his collection of medical notes. He never let it out of his sight when he was alive. If he really came to you in a dream, I figure he just wants you to burn this and send it to him.”
Lily, pleased by the compromise, nodded and smiled. “I’ll offer it up to him right away so he can rest easy—” She reached for the notebook, but Yunice pulled it back slightly. Then, holding one corner of the notebook in one hand, Yunice flicked on a lighter with the other. Before anyone could react, she touched the flame to the edge of the notebook.
Elsie’s smile vanished instantly. Just a second ago, she’d been fantasizing about trading that notebook to make Quinton happy—now it was up in flames! She lunged, but Owen was even faster. Yunice let go before either of them could grab it. Flames leapt high from the notebook, burning fast and hot.
Owen tried to stomp it out, but the fire only grew wilder, nearly catching his pant leg. By the time the flames died down, Owen—pale with rage—picked up what was left of the notebook and opened it, only to be stunned. Half of it had burned. The half that remained was entirely blank—no writing at all.
He slammed the scorched remains on the table and shouted, “Who told you to burn it! Mr. Ford was really interested in Dad’s notes!”
Yunice looked innocent. “Mom said to burn it and send it to Dad. I was just doing what she said… And you never told me Mr. Ford wanted it! If I’d known, I wouldn’t have burned it….”
“What’s the point of saying that now!” Owen fumed.
Lily looked both regretful and angry. “You still shouldn’t have burned it without asking!”
Yunice replied sweetly, “I just didn’t want you to keep having headaches. I thought if I burned it early, Dad would stop bothering you.”