Chapter 375 The Upperhand
Before Abella could speak, Lola said, "If you're bothered about the issue of our status, I will clear it up with your classmates. I'll them you are the true Miss Medici while I'm just the adopted daughter... I won't hurt you anymore for my own pride."
"..."
"Abella, can you give me one last chance? Just this last one, please?"
Lola gripped the hem of Abella’s shirt, beseeching desperately. "Let's bury the hatchet and become good sisters again. We can forget all the unpleasantness of the past..."
Abella saw that this time, Lola's eyes were void of the cunning and savvy that once filled them. Instead, they were brimming with sincerity and pleading.
It appeared that fear of losing everything she had forced her to bow her head.
"Abella, I'm begging you!" As Lola spoke, she was about to kneel.
Abella blocked Lola with a foot, her tone cold. "Some things can’t be fixed by kneeling and pleading."
"What do you want me to do then?" Lola asked earnestly, "Should I bring you breakfast every day? Get your lunch? Find you after class in the afternoon and save you a spot in the cafeteria? Pick up your packages? Rub your shoulders? Massage your back?"
"..." There was no need for such grand gestures.
"Just say the word, Abella. Whatever you ask, I promise I'll do it!" Lola seemed resolute.
"We'll see," said Abella, offering neither forgiveness nor condemnation. She left with Camila.
Lola was left in disarray, unsure what Abella's words meant. Was she forgiven? Not forgiven? Or was she expected to prove herself first?
"Abella..." As she saw Abella walk away, Lola turned to seek Ethan’s support. "Ethan..."
Ethan's voice remained calm, tinged with a hint of indifference, "You should head back."
He didn't clarify whether he was giving her an opportunity or not.
"Ethan, don't go... Please talk to Abella again... I really do realize my mistake," Lola pleaded, trailing behind Ethan like a meek sidekick.
When they arrived at a restaurant near the college town, Ethan, Camila, and Abella headed in first. After Lola paid for her cab, she followed them in.
The waiter, a bit puzzled at the sight of the somewhat disheveled young woman, asked politely, "Excuse me, are you alone? Or are you with the three who just walked in?"
"I’m with them," Lola responded, following them upstairs. She didn't dare join them in the private room, opting to wait outside instead.
Inside the private room.
Ethan glanced at Abella and asked gently, "How do you want to handle this?"
"What do you suggest?"
Abella's gaze was commanding, even a bit imposing.
Camila couldn't help but think, "Blood really is thicker than water. Abella's presence is just like someone from the Medici family, perhaps even stronger."
"I'll follow your lead on this. You decide," Ethan said as he poured tea for her and then for Camila, seemingly accustomed to Abella's formidable presence.
"Why don't we wait and see how she behaves," Camila suggested after a sip of tea. "If she doesn't show any remorse in the following days, or if she's up to her old tricks behind our backs, then we'll tell your parents to kick her out. But if she genuinely acknowledges her wrongdoing... Abella, perhaps we could give her a chance?"
"Are you suggesting that an ally is better than an enemy?" Abella looked at them, seeming to have guessed their intentions.
"I'm just suggesting... After all, your parents are very attached to her... and your brothers have invested a lot emotionally in her too. Kicking her out abruptly like that, your parents might not say it, but surely they'd find it a bit hard to adjust to. They’ve been together for eighteen years, after all. But it's just a suggestion; the choice is yours."
"Abella, you don't have to consider others' feelings. Whatever you decide to do, I will support you, even if you want her to leave the Medici family."
"Yeah, me too. If you want her gone, she's as good as gone!" Camila chimed in.
Abella tapped on the rim of her cup with her slender finger and pondered for a moment before saying, "Fine, we'll see how she does."
After all, whether Lola was in the family or not didn't really affect Abella. In the past couple of months, although Lola had caused some trouble, she'd never managed to get the upper hand with Abella.
If Abella really wanted to deal with Lola, it would be a simple matter. Her main concern was for the feelings of the family.
It seemed that the Medici family had a strong affection for Lola.
"Speaking of which," Ethan suddenly interjected.
Both Abella and Camila turned their attention to him.
Ethan spoke with a hint of apology, "Those places Lola mentioned, those travel spots. If you ever have the time, whenever you want to go, all of us will be there with you... to create new memories, memories that belong to our family."
Abella's eyes softened at his words.
She had listened to Lola recount tales of their childhood. She talked about how Ethan climbed trees and fell for her. He carried her on his back for miles, got his legs scraped by branches, caught fish for her to eat, and even had the servants throw snowballs at himself just to make her laugh.
In those stories, Abella found a tinge of envy. The warmth of a loving family was something she had never experienced when growing up at the Wilsons.
Although Grandma Wilson was affectionate, it was different from the love of brothers.
Abella had never been coddled or protected by her brothers as Lola had been.
Ethan, catching a hint of her thoughts, was about to offer comfort when Camila wrapped an arm around Abella's shoulders, reassuring her, "Don't worry. Now you've got a sister-in-law to dote on you too. Whatever you want to do or have, I’ve got your back!"
Abella couldn't help but smile. "Things are pretty good as they are."
She may not have those deep memories, but the love her family had for her was genuine.
And now, she also had a doting sister-in-law.
That was enough.
"Abella, you need to remember this. You always have more right to be willful in this house than Lola. With just one word from you, everyone would choose you over her without hesitation. Sure, it’d hurt to let go. That’s human nature, but it’s a pain I can bear. I trust the others can, too," Ethan said earnestly.
"You are a part of this family. No one can threaten your place, not even Lola. ""You deserve our care and attention far more."" Remember, we're family. Next time you see me, don't be so shy. If you need anything, just come to me."
---
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
