Chapter 11
Lemira took a cab back to the Langston mansion.
As she stepped into the foyer, she could hear Evelina’s laughter, sounding blissful and carefree. However, the moment she appeared, the atmosphere shifted to a tense silence. Lemira, with a poker face, walked past the foyer, intending to head straight to her room.
Caspian’s voice boomed, “Lemira, stop right there! Coming home and not even greeting your elders, is this your attitude now? So just because the school doctor has your back and even threatened to call the cops, you think you’ve got it all covered? Without the Langstons, you’re nothing p>
Caspian grew angrier as he spoke, eventually standing up, “You think we favor Evelina, but you don’t see how terribly you’ve treated her! Her dad saved your life, we’re just paying your dues for you p>
Lemira felt utterly drained. She paused, looking towards the couch, “Lucian, Caspian, I’m home,” thinking that should suffice.
Lucian spoke up, “Dinner’s ready p>
“You all go ahead, I’m not hungry,” after saying that, Lemira turned and went upstairs.
“Lucian, look at her attitude, she’s becoming more and more unruly p>
Evelina chimed in, “Caspian, don’t be mad, it’s all my fault. Maybe if I leave the Langston family, Lemmy won’t be so upset anymore p>
“Don’t talk nonsense, if anyone should leave, it’s Lemira. Why should you go p>
These words followed Lemira as she quickened her pace back to her room, immediately locking the door behind her.
She leaned against the door, taking a moment to breathe, her eyes slightly moist. She looked up at the ceiling, pushing the tears back. This time, she wouldn’t cling to any false sense of sibling affection. The next day, Lemira went to school as usual. Evelina shared a ride with her.
Evelina glanced at her cautiously, “Lemmy, are you still mad at me p>
“Evelina, always playing the victim, doesn’t it tire you?” Lemira leaned against the window, closing her eyes to sleep, ignoring Evelina.
Evelina’s expression darkened, but with the driver present, she put on a pitiful look, smiling at the driver.
The driver instantly felt that Ms. Langston was being too harsh, bullying Evelina like that. He decided he’d have a word with Mr. Lucian Langston about this.
After school, Lemira focused on her lessons and notes, aware she had missed a lot. Even with Evelina’s sidekicks and their supporters buzzing around, Lemira didn’t care.
She had too much to do to waste time on them.
Upon returning home in the evening, Lemira saw Alaric sitting on the couch, clearly in a bad mood.
Evelina ran over, trying to be adorable, “Ari, you’re back, I’ve missed you so much over these days p>
Alaric’s mood was initially sour, but it softened after Evelina’s cajoling. Lemira glanced at their interaction and headed upstairs.
Alaric looked up, “Lemira, Caspian mentioned you’ve become increasingly disobedient. I didn’t believe it until now. Can’t you even say hello to me anymore p>
Lemira sighed, thinking, “Here we go again.” Not wanting to waste more time, she turned around and dutifully greeted, “Alaric p>
“That’s more like it. I’m planning to reassemble the gaming team. Lucian, Caspian, they all agreed. You should join too p>
Lemira’s grip on her backpack tightened. This was exactly how it happened in the last life.
To make Alaric happy, to gain her brothers’ attention, she had agreed without hesitation, and then trained relentlessly, even at the expense of her studies. And what was the outcome? Alaric had said, “Lemira, you’ve proven yourself. Now, let’s give Eve a chance to experience the joy of victory p>
“Lemira, I’m the team captain. If I say to change, we change p>
In her previous life, she was replaced by Evelina. All her efforts led them to the finals, only to be benched at the last moment so that Evelina could enjoy the glory of a win handed to her. What did her sacrifices amount to?