Chapter 68
Although Shermaine’s tone was soft, Wendelyn felt an overwhelming pressure, as though she couldn’t breathe. Wendelyn was consumed by hatred—hatred that Shermaine was the family’s true blood while she was merely adopted, and hatred for Shermaine’s return. If Shermaine hadn’t come back, Joshua would be Wendelyn’s fiancé, and Ross would still be her brother and hers alone. Jealousy surged within Wendelyn like a storm, wild and uncontrollable, making her want to tear everything apart.
“Mom only loves me and only cares for me. That must drive you crazy, doesn’t it?” Wendelyn said, deliberately trying to provoke Shermaine. “And Dad, you’ve realized, haven’t you? If it weren’t for Joshua taking an interest in you, do you think he’d even bother looking at you? Shermaine, your biological parents never wanted you back. Why did you even bother returning? They’ll never love you. They only love me.”
Shermaine had no patience for people who didn’t matter to her. Her voice turned icy as she said, “I don’t care whether they love me or not. But if you don’t let go, I’ll make you.”
Wendelyn froze, her lashes fluttering as panic flickered in her eyes. Under Shermaine’s chilling gaze, she reluctantly released her grip.
Looking at the red marks—some deep, some faint—left by Wendelyn’s tight grip, Shermaine scoffed, “How pathetic.”
Wendelyn’s face turned pale with rage.
Just then, Jameson happened to step out of the study and overheard Shermaine’s sharp words. His face darkened, and he snapped, “Shermaine, is this how you should talk to your sister?”
Meanwhile, he grumbled inwardly, ‘It’s one thing for Shermaine to act tough with outsiders, but how could she be so harsh with Wendy? They may not be close, but Wendy is still her sister. Sure, Wendelyn crossed the line earlier, secretly having feelings for Joshua—but that’s understandable. She’s been in love with him for years. She just needs more time to let go. Besides, Wendy’s position in this family is pretty difficult right now. Shermaine now has everything going her way. Couldn’t she soften her attitude just a little? Ever since Mom came back from the suburbs, she hasn’t stopped giving Wendelyn the cold shoulder. Wendy’s been part of this family for fourteen years—she’s sweet, thoughtful, and talented. But Shermaine? She hasn’t reached out to me once since she returned, unless I went to her first. And tonight, Joshua came over, and she didn’t even tell me or bring him to the study to meet me.’
Shermaine replied flatly, “I don’t see any problem with it.” Ever since she’d learned that Jameson was an unfaithful scumbag with an illegitimate son her age, she couldn’t stand the sight of him. Pressing her lips together, she added, “If there’s nothing else, I’m going upstairs now.”
Jameson was engaged by her tone. At first, he hadn’t planned on scolding Shermaine—after all, she had the backing of both Janice and Ross, who pampered her heavily. And with Joshua in her corner, too, she could practically do whatever she wanted in Basterel. Even Jameson, as her father, sometimes had to tread carefully around her. But her cold, dismissive attitude toward Jameson really got under his skin. “Stop right there!” he barked.
Shermaine stopped in her tracks, glanced up, and stared at him silently.
Jameson demanded, “Apologize to Wendy.”
Shermaine responded with a cold, mocking smile.
“Did you hear me?” Jameson continued.
Sensing the tension between Jameson and Shermaine, Wendelyn instantly seized the chance to stir things up. She said, “Dad, it’s my fault. I shouldn’t have grabbed Shermaine’s wrist, especially knowing how much she hates it. Please don’t be upset. You’ve been so busy with work lately, don’t let this affect your health—it’s not worth it.”
Hearing that, Jameson couldn’t help but think, ‘Wendy’s been living with us, and sure enough, she is thoughtful and sweet—unlike Ross and Shermaine, who are both so hard to get along with.’
He continued, “Even so, she shouldn’t have said something like that. What was she gonna do if you didn’t let go? Break your arm?” His voice grew louder as he went on. “Only a cold and heartless person would say such things.”
Wendelyn softly interjected, “Shermaine isn’t such a person.”
Jameson snorted.
Hearing footsteps approaching, Shermaine said calmly, “There’s no way I’m apologizing. After all, in your eyes, I’ll never measure up to Wendelyn. I just gave her a warning, and you immediately jumped to her defense without ever considering whether I was hurt when she grabbed my wrist. You’re just like Mom—always quick to point fingers without hearing me out. And when you realize you were wrong, you just brush it off with a few words and some money to make it go away. When Grandma and Ross aren’t around, if it weren’t for Joshua protecting me, I can’t even imagine how much I’d have to endure.” With that, she pulled her sleeve up intentionally, revealing the red marks on her wrist. “Wendelyn just admitted she was wrong, yet you’re only yelling at me.”
Wendelyn’s smile froze the moment she saw the marks. She hadn’t realized she’d gripped Shermaine so hard that it left marks.
Jameson saw the marks too. His eyes widened in anger as he thought, ‘Isn’t she calling me a lousy father who cares more for an outsider than my own daughter?’
But before he could say anything, Janice’s furious voice rang out. “You heartless fool! You’ve never cared about Shermaine, and you still have the nerve to lecture her?”
Jameson felt his scalp tingle as he quickly explained, “Mom, I’ve just been busy with work.”
Janice mocked, “Busy with work? You know better than anyone whether that’s true or not. Don’t think you can pull one over on me just because I’m old and sick.”
Jameson felt even guiltier, but he kept his expression calm.
Ross came down the stairs and said, “Sheary, let me see your wrist. Is the skin broken?”
Shermaine lowered her gaze and said softly, “Ross, I didn’t mean to be so harsh with Wendelyn. It’s just she grabbed my wrist so hard it hurt.”
Ross’s gaze darkened as he saw the red marks on Shermaine’s wrist. He looked at Jameson and said, “Dad, now you know who should be apologizing, right?”
Jameson felt a headache coming on as he stared at Ross and Shermaine in front of him. His eyes darkened slightly, and it was hard to tell what he was thinking. With no other choice, he said, “Wendy, apologize to your sister.”
“I’m sorry, Shermaine,” Wendelyn said, swallowing her frustration. Her own scheme got her into trouble.
The small drama didn’t affect Shermaine’s mood. She returned to her room, spent half an hour doing yoga, drank some milk, and slept soundly through the night. She washed her hands, and went back to what she was doing.
The next morning, Shermaine requested a half-day leave from her homeroom teacher. After breakfast, she got into the car Joshua had given her and set off.
The houses in Sanderson Grove were old. With the help of the GPS, she quickly found Unit 3003, Apartment 5, 125th Street.
The door was closed, but she could hear the sound of a television coming from inside. Shermaine raised her hand and knocked on the door.
Before long, an old woman with white hair opened the door. Her voice was raspy as she asked, “Who’s there?”
Shermaine lowered her head slightly and explained her reason for coming. “Hello, ma’am. I’m here to see Ms. Madeline Guston.”
At the mention of Madeline, the old woman’s pupils contracted, and her expression turned strange. “Maddie died in a car accident fourteen years ago,” she said.