Chapter 54
Chapter 54
Joshua spoke softly, trying to keep things calm, “Listen, you’re not a kid anymore. Plus, I’ve got a girlfriend now. I’m about to get engaged to Allie, so we need to keep things above board.”
Allison felt a little flutter in her heart. She didn’t expect Joshua to stand up to Lillian because of her.
Lillian’s voice suddenly lost its softness and turned sharp, “Even between siblings, we have to be careful? Is Allie really that petty? She made me fall off the horse, and instead of caring about me, you side with her?”
Allison decided to leave. She wasn’t about to stick around where she clearly wasn’t wanted. If Lillian didn’t want her there, she saw no point in staying.
Joshua’s voice had a touch of frustration, “Lillian, I’ve told you, Allison is going to be your sister–in–law. Show her some respect!”
Just then, a nurse with an IV drip came to the room door and noticed Allison. “Excuse me, please,” the nurse said.
Both Joshua and Lillian turned to see Allison standing there. With a sigh, Allison followed the nurse inside.
Lillian’s dislike was obvious as she glared at Allison. “Why are you here?”
Almost at the same time, Joshua greeted her, “Allie, glad you came.”
The nurse started setting up Lillian’s IV. Lillian’s eyes were like daggers aimed at Allison.
Allison stood firm, meeting Lillian’s stare with a cool, “You think I made you fall off the horse?”
Lillian had expected Allison to be a bundle of nerves after the incident, but Allison’s calm was surprising.
Still, Lillian kept her act going. Instead of answering Allison, she turned to Joshua, looking all pitiful with tears threatening to spill.
“Joshua, I know I didn’t make the best impression when I first met Allison. Today at the riding club, I just wanted to get closer to her since she’s going to be my sister–in–law…”
Tears brimmed in Lillian’s eyes. “I asked Allison to teach me to ride, hoping we could connect.
“I didn’t think she would hate me so much. She kicked the horse when I wasn’t looking, and it just took off like crazy. I was terrified.”
Playing the victim to the hilt, Lillian accused, “Allison, I understand if you don’t like me, but why did you do this when we’ve never had any issues?”
She stopped, casting a glance at Joshua to see his reaction. Joshua frowned slightly, but his tone was gentle as he asked, “Allie, what really happened at the riding club today?”
Under the covers, Lillian’s uninjured hand clenched tightly. Joshua didn’t believe her!
Why was he being.so kind to Allison? Back in middle school, when girls bullied her, he had them expelled. In high school, when thugs bothered her, he had them taught a lesson. In college, when a creep stalked her, he made sure the guy couldn’t use his camera again.
Now, after being “mistreated” by Allison, here she was, injured in a hospital bed, and her brother’s first instinct was to find out what really went down?
Jealousy raged inside her. Lillian wished she could just march over and give Allison a piece of her mind right then and there.
1/1
