Chapter 209 Heart-to-Heart Talk
After returning to Long Island Manor, Abella finished her meal and made an excuse to leave. She went to Lin Mansion to prepare medicine for her grandparents.
Due to severe damage to their central nervous system, as well as respiratory tract infection, aneAurora, electrolyte imbalance, and other conditions, they required multiple medications.
Abella first prepared the medicine needed for the first three days, turning them into powder for easy dissolution in water.
Unconsciously, it was already half past eight in the evening.
Meanwhile, Steven waited in the lush courtyard, raising his watch and occasionally glancing towards the direction of the gate, but he never saw his sister returning home.
Did she go to see that doctor for something?
He wondered if that doctor was a man or a woman. If it was a man, going alone so late, would his sister be taken advantage of?
At that moment, Lauren approached respectfully and reported, "Young Master, the Gesang flowers you requested have been planted. Would you like to go and take a look?"
Steven looked up and saw his sister's balcony on the second floor adorned with a circle of blooming Gesang flowers, giving off a fresh and delightful beauty.
He wondered if Abella would feel a little better upon seeing this scenery.
"That's Abella's room, so I won't go there."
Although he was the eldest brother, he was still a man, and how could he enter his sister's room without her permission, especially late at night?
"You can go back to your duties."
"Yes." Lauren respectfully withdrew.
After a while, Steven didn't see his sister, so he stood up and walked into the living room. "Maria, is Lola asleep?"
"Is the young master looking for Lola? She definitely hasn't slept at this hour! Please wait, I'll call her down."
Maria was somewhat pleasantly surprised because, in this household, in addition to pleasing the master's wife, it was most important to receive the attention and affection of the young master!
Compared to the other young masters, Steven's words carried the most weight. As long as it was someone he wanted to keep around, everyone had to give them face.
"It's not necessary, I'll go find her myself." Steven walked upstairs without letting Lola make a special trip.
Glancing at the time in her mind, Maria secretly rejoiced. Normally at this hour, the young master would be preparing to rest, but tonight, he made an exception for Miss Lola!
"Lola, it's me. Are you asleep?" Steven stood at Lola's door and knocked.
"Big brother?" Lola heard the voice and immediately opened the door. After all, it had been a while since her big brother had come to see her alone.
Abella happened to be out tonight, and her big brother coincidentally came to find her. Lola believed that Abella usually didn't allow her big brother to come!
Thinking this way, Lola happily made way for him. "Big brother, come in and let's chat."
"Let's go to the terrace."
Each floor had a spacious terrace, and Lola's floor was no exception.
On the breezy terrace, Lola joyfully asked, "Big brother, why did you come to me so late?"
Before Steven could respond, Lola took the opportunity to act coquettishly. "It's been so long since you came to chat with me, I thought the sibling bond between us had changed! Though deep down, I always consider you as my big brother..."
"Big brother, I wonder if you still see me as your little sister..." Lola said, deliberately portraying a look of sadness and dejection.
"Of course I do," Steven replied with a definite tone, which immediately brought a smile to Lola's face. "I know that you've always been the best to me, big brother!"
"It's only natural that everyone is concerned about Abella's feelings since she just returned to this family. It might make you think that we treat you differently now," Steven sincerely explained. "But in the eyes of our parents, as well as mine and the other brothers', you are still a part of this family, and that has never changed."
Upon hearing this, Lola suspected that her big brother had something else to say when he approached her late at night. Was he trying to caution her about something?
"How have our parents treated you all these years?" Steven asked again.
Without hesitation, Lola replied, "They have been great, of course. Mom and dad have always said that I am the most important treasure in the family, and they would like to present all the good things in the world to me."
"And how have I treated you?" Steven continued.
"Whenever you see something suitable for me, you always buy it for me right away. There are some new items that I couldn't get, but you bought them for me," Lola revealed.
"And how have the other brothers treated you?" Steven inquired.
"They have been good to me too!" Lola felt uncertain and decided to take the initiative, "Big brother, why are you suddenly asking these questions?"
Steven expressed his thoughts with earnestness, "After Abella was abandoned outside for eighteen years, it's a long-awaited moment for her to return to this family. Mom and dad, as well as I, want to make it up to her. It may seem like we value her more than we do you, but in our eyes, everything we are giving her now is what you have had during these eighteen years."
Lola understood. Her big brother approached her late at night because of Abella! She felt a bit upset inside.
"Have you ever thought that this was originally her home, and she rightfully belongs here to enjoy the life that was meant for her? She is Mom and Dad's flesh and blood, and they should treat her well. As her brother, I should pamper her even more, especially after she suffered for eighteen years outside. We should compensate her even more for her future life," Steven explained.
"Big brother, by saying all this to me out of the blue, it seems as if I don't welcome my sister back into this family!" Lola felt puzzled and a bit downcast. "Please don't misunderstand, I don't hold any animosity towards my sister."
"I can see that you hold no animosity," Steven looked directly at her, saying with significant meaning, "The reason I'm talking to you is to let you know that even if Abella returns to this family, the affection we have for you during these eighteen years is not false. You can still stay here just like before, buy whatever you want, and do whatever you wish without anyone restraining or treating you differently."
Lola couldn't believe it. The way the family treated her had clearly changed from before...
"I can tell that Abella holds no animosity towards you. Sometimes it is you who is being unreasonable. However, she has always been understanding and doesn't hold it against you. You should be happy to have such a sister," Steven continued. "Listen to me, let go of your preconceptions, try to accept her, respect her. You will find that life isn't much worse than before."
"Instead, you will live happier than before."
Will that truly make her happy? But witnessing how much her parents dote on Abella, how her elder brother constantly favors Abella, it fills her with envy and anger!
Steven lectured earnestly, "This family wasn't originally meant for you."
That single sentence was like a bolt from the blue, awakening Lola from her reverie!
"From the love of parents and brothers, to a life of luxury, even the respect of the servants, none of it belongs to you."
Lola stood frozen in place.
"It was a misunderstanding that allowed you to enjoy eighteen years of a happy life meant for Abella. Abella accepted you out of consideration for our parents and her brothers. You had the opportunity to envy her, to hurt her. But if she had firmly rejected you from the very beginning, what would have become of you? Have you ever thought about that?"
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