Chapter 113 A Million Times Better
Eileen arrived at the library before seven o’clock, knowing that it would close at ten. There were still a few people scattered around the library at that time.
She sat at her favorite spot next to the window and opened her workbook.
As time pa*sed, the lights in the library gradually dimmed. Eventually, a librarian approached her and politely said, “We’ll be closing soon.”
He didn’t show up, but she wasn’t surprised.
On her way back home, Eileen momentarily forgot about the ongoing renovations at her residence. All the servants and drivers had already gone home, and the last bus of the evening had already left by this late hour.
In the end, Eileen had to hail a taxi to get home.
It was close to one in the morning when she arrived at her condominium. Looking up, she noticed that the lights on the twelfth floor were off. It seemed that the residents were already asleep at this late hour.
She entered the elevator and tried to input the door’s lock code, but it was incorrect. She tried three times, but the pa*scode was still wrong.
How can it be wrong? It’s clearly a series of numbers from one to six. Could it have been changed?
In her moment of confusion, Eileen instinctively reached for her phone, only to remember that Sharon didn’t have a mobile phone. She didn’t know the landline number for the living room, and her phone’s contact list was minimal, with only a few names, including Vera. As she scrolled through her contacts, her eyes landed on the last set of numbers.
After a few seconds of silence, the lights in the corridor, controlled by sound, turned off, leaving her in darkness.
The only source of light came from her cell phone. Faced with this dilemma, Eileen hesitated for a moment and ultimately decided not to disturb them.
It’s already eleven o’clock. I should stay at a hotel tonight.
Eileen retraced her steps and headed towards the elevator. As she stood by the elevator, she pressed the button to go down. Just as the elevator was about to arrive, her phone vibrated faintly in her pocket.
Taking out her phone, she glanced at the caller ID and hesitated for a moment before deciding to answer. After hovering her finger over the accept button for about ten seconds,
Eileen finally took the call. Putting the phone to her ear, she heard a cold, deep voice from the other end asking, “Where are you?”
Eileen held her breath and replied, “I’m at the door…”
Shortly after, she heard the unmistakable sound of the door being opened.
Eileen hesitated before turning to enter the living room. There, she saw a man in dark striped pajamas standing by the kitchen’s refrigerator, pouring himself a gla*s of water.
As she prepared to retreat to her room, the man’s displeased voice echoed from behind, asking, “You’re home late. Where have you been?”
Eileen felt a cold, piercing gaze on her back as she retorted, “That’s my business. I don’t have to explain it to you.”
After finishing her sentence, she entered the room and softly turned on the desk lamp. Vera, awakened by the commotion, looked confused and asked, “Why are you just coming back now?”
“There’s something going on at school.”
“Oh…” Vera mumbled before turning over and falling back asleep while clutching his pink teddy bear.
After putting her backpack down, Eileen noticed two cups of milk on the table. One had gone cold, and the other was only half-consumed.
Eileen quickly took a shower before going to bed.
The next morning, as the alarm clock broke the silence, Eileen, feeling disoriented and congested, realized that she had barely slept. Dark circles under her eyes had deepened to a somewhat alarming extent.
The lack of rest from the previous night seemed to be taking its toll.
Knowing that Eileen had an early morning study routine, Sharon would start preparing breakfast at four-thirty.
When Sharon saw Eileen coming out of her room, she was taken aback. “Goodness, child, what have you been up to? What time did you come back last night?”
Eileen squinted her eyes while scanning the contents of the refrigerator and replied, “Almost eleven o’clock. Do we still have milk, Sharon?”
“Breakfast is almost ready. Take a seat. Mr. Snow has gone for a morning run; he’ll be back shortly,” Sharon informed.
Eileen took a sip of cold water, trying to reduce the puffiness of her eyes. “I won’t be eating breakfast; I’m in a rush.”
“Why are you so disobedient? I woke up at four-thirty to make breakfast for you. Be good. You’re still growing. You can’t skip breakfast,” Sharon said.
“You don’t have to go through so much trouble. I’m fine with just eating whatever,” Eileen said.
“What are you talking about! I’ve watched you grow up since you were little; do you think I don’t know you well enough?” Sharon exclaimed.
Eileen walked over and hugged Sharon from behind, resting her chin on Sharon’s shoulder. “You’re the best, Sharon.”
The door swung open. It must be Eric, who had returned from his morning run.
Eileen let go of Sharon, who carried the oatmeal to the dining table. “Come, sit down and eat!”
“Okay.”
Despite her reluctance to face Eric, Eileen didn’t want to waste the food that Sharon had spent time preparing.
Seated at the dining table, Sharon set a few sets of cutlery and served two bowls of oatmeal.
Eric, after a refreshing shower and a change of clothes, came out of the room.
Sharon asked, “Should we wake Vera up?”
Eric pulled out a chair and sat at the head of the table. “No need. Let her sleep a little longer.”
Eric had barely sat down when Eileen stood up. “I’m full. I’m heading to school now.”
“Why are you eating so little? You haven’t even finished your oatmeal. There’s still time. Finish eating before you leave.”
“It’s okay. I still have to catch the bus.”
In a commanding tone, Eric insisted, “Sit down and finish your meal!” He then added, “I spoke to your homeroom teacher; you didn’t attend the evening self-study session yesterday. Where were you?”
Eileen asked, “Does that have anything to do with you?”
Even Will didn’t bother to ask. What right does he have to interrogate me? If he understands,
he’ll know I’m avoiding him. Every single thing he did to me was to ruin my life! I can’t believe he’s putting on an act to pretend to care for me now. What right does he have to ask?
“If you were absent because of the Olympiad cla*s, it only lasts until eight-thirty at the latest. Add half an hour for the return trip, and it’s no later than nine,” Eric explained, each word and sentence clear, without once lifting his head. “If you don’t explain everything clearly, there’s no need for you to attend the cla*s.”
Eileen replied, “Whether I attend or not, it’s not for you to decide.”
Sharon interrupted, “Eileen, Eric is your older brother; you shouldn’t talk to your brother like that.”
“Brother?” Eileen let out a cold, sarcastic snort. “What kind of brother does he think he is?”
Elm is a million times better than him. At the very least, he risked his life to save me. What about him? All he knew was to resort to such despicable tactics, drugging me, allowing those thugs to tarnish my reputation. He is indeed a “great” brother!
Sharon had no idea what was going on between the two. In the past, Eileen loved Eric and followed him everywhere, but now, when she wasn’t actively avoiding him, she treated him like a sworn enemy.
With everything that had happened in the past swirling in her mind, Eileen felt a surge of anger welling up within her, intensified by the irritability of her period. Her face vividly displayed impatience. “Let’s be completely honest now,” she declared.
Eric fixed his hawk-like eyes on her, his gaze icy-cold.
Eileen continued, “There’s no point in pretending; what’s done is done. I can’t continue to grovel and fawn over you like I used to. You’ve always despised me. Now that I’m living here, it’s only going to make both of us miserable. Your fake behavior disgusts me even more. So just drop the act. Yes, I am afraid of you, but that doesn’t mean I will pretend as if the things you’ve done to me never happened. Nor does it mean I can sit at the same table with you and have a peaceful meal. I will move out from here before school ends today. And please, stop interfering in my affairs!” she warned him.
Otherwise, just end my suffering quickly and don’t prolong it!
