Chapter 289: Chapter 289
Ian sighed, knowing perfectly well that he could not say ’no’ to that look. It was near impossible for him, especially, when he had just gotten her back from the grasp of near-death.
He gently flicked his finger on Shelby’s pretty nose and kissed it. "You sure have me wrapped around your little finger,"
Shelby giggled as Ian helped her put on comfortable clothes after the two assistants left the room. After donning a simple dress and a fluffy cardigan, Ian carried her princess style and disappeared from the hospital.
Shelby didn’t question Ian’s choice of transportation, but instead, she wrapped her arms loosely around his neck. They materialized right in the school’s hallway, and Shelby was taken aback by the fact that it was already dark outside. Her day had been a flurry of activities and visitors since she had regained consciousness, and time had been the last thing on her mind.
Ian set her down slowly and then stood aside. He knew Shelby would want to do this alone, but he was clearly unhappy because he knew she needed her rest.
’I vowed to take care of these children, and that was why I adopted them, but this does not mean that it should be at the expense of your health!’
Shelby looked up at him and hugged him tightly, ’I will make sure that you never have to make such a decision!’ She also used their mind-link and replied.
She gently pressed down on his arm as if to say, ’I’ll be right back,’ and then she headed towards the utility room where she had seen Samatha enter a few hours earlier.
Shelby stopped right outside the door and, taking a deep breath, turned the handle to open it.
Shelby frowned slightly at the cigarette butts in the room and all around Samatha who still lay on the ground looking almost lifeless. Her eyes looked dull, and her light makeup had been smeared badly from all the crying she had done.
Unknowingly, a relieved feeling washed over Shelby, seeing that Samantha was safe. Call it a gut feeling but she had thought that something was about to happen to Samantha and Shelby was not far off. Maybe Samantha might have done the unthinkable if left in that utility room the whole night.
Shelby walked quietly up to her and then sat on the floor. That was only when Samantha took a good look at the person who had entered,
Samantha flinched slightly at the Shelby but tried not to show it.
"What are you doing here?! Are you here to laugh at me?!" Samantha snapped, but her voice was a hoarse mess, as if she had a cold. This might have been the fact that she had cried out for hours. The tear streaks on her face gave her away, though. Samantha wanted to leave the annoying person who had entered the room, but she was emotionally and physically spent. She just wanted it all to end, but did not have the energy to do so.
After rudely asking Shelby that question, Samantha said nothing more and turned her head away from her. To her surprise, Shelby just sat by her and said nothing.
After what seemed like a very long time, Shelby whispered in a very low voice,
"You know that you are one lucky girl, right?"
Obviously, Samantha rolled her eyes but did not respond. She had heard people say that a lot but what kind of lucky girl became an orphan by abandonment and then again, through death?
’Look at her trying to be all motherly at this time. After all this time, she comes in and tells me this nonsense!’
Shelby could deduce what Samantha might be thinking, but she just went on talking. Shelby talked about what Samantha felt were random things, making her angrier. She wished that she could block out the voice, but she could not. Samantha could only listen to that annoying tale and voice.
"I loved my father best, but I don’t remember him much. He died a long time ago. It was just my mother and me, but she was only interested in herself. Haha! I guess I should be glad that I at least had food to eat sometimes and a roof over my head, too."
Shelby turned to look at the girl, who now had her eyes on her. She saw the slight surprise Samantha showed and then continued,
"Samantha, I am not here to reprimand or belittle you in any way. You and I started on the wrong foot, and I would like to be there for you, but you have to let me in. I am not trying to tell you my sordid past to invoke your pity, but I want you to understand that everyone has a story, but we don’t wear it on our sleeves for the world to see. Your parents may have left you, and you have no idea who they are, but you were adopted by a kind family who gave you siblings that you can rely on. What happened to your second family was unfortunate, but you got another opening with a third and the most powerful family on this island. I know it was not smooth but, no matter what, they did adopt you and your siblings. They kept you three together under one roof and gave you their name. This is an opportunity that most people can only dream of.
I know that I may only be an outsider to you. I -" Shelby paused and lowered her head. Taking in another deep breath, she continued,
"I am not your mother and may never be the mother that you long for, but you can see me as an elder sister. I am just about a decade older than you are, anyway."
Shelby added as an afterthought and then looked to meet Samantha’s gaze.
"I want to provide you that companionship I missed in my life. I- I want to be there for you. You can hate and be angry at me, but I still want you to rely on me, Samantha. Remember that little statement about my mother? She doesn’t like me much, but I want to create a good home for you. Would you allow me?"
It felt repetitive to Shelby’s ears, but she was unsure of what to say to the girl who had been hurt one too many times in her life.
Shelby raised her head and examined the eyes that were now focused on her,
"I am not here to take your siblings or anyone away from you, Samatha. I am here for you, so please tell me how I can improve our relationship and what is going on with you so I can help. You can’t just hide here when you have a home...."
"What do you know?!" Samantha snapped, but this time, her snap was weaker. This made Shelby smile a little. Just when she thought Samantha would remain quiet, Samantha said in a tiny voice, "Everyone leaves me eventually, so why should I care?"
Shelby straightened slightly but continued to hold the younger girl’s gaze.
"Sadly, such is life, Samantha. We learn to love the people here in that short time that they are here, but I have a feeling that you are upset about something else.... Do you mind sharing? I will just lend a listening ear.
Again, Samatha surprised her. Maybe it might have been because of all the pent-up emotions, or Samantha just needed a listening ear, but she narrated everything to Shelby in a flat, almost emotionless voice, and Shelby took all the information in as if she did not know half of it.
"Sorry, you had to meet one of those twerps so early in life."
Samantha’s eyes widened, and she let out an involuntary laughter.
’Did she just call Raye a twerp?’ Samantha could not hide the smile that spread across her face. At that time, any such words against Raye lifted her mood, but Samantha could not imagine Raye’s face if he ever heard someone say that directly to his face.
"You should smile more,"
"You look beautiful when you smile."
Samantha blushed and started feeling guilty. With just one chat with Shelby, the little girl realized how unreasonable she had been to her.
"What do you want to do, Samantha?"
"Me? I- I don’t know." She said and lowered her head.
"He, like all others who behave like him, is not worth it. You are a Thornston and do not ever forget that. There will be better people out there for you when you are ready, but all these would depend on you. Don’t make unnecessary people make your life difficult."
"I- " Samantha could not bring herself to say the words.
Shelby shifted a little closer to her and then handed her a handkerchief.
Samantha finally sat up and used it to wipe her face as much as possible. "Don’t worry, we’ll deal with it together if you’d like?"
Samantha nodded, and Shelby smiled, making the girl blush. "Count it as being fortunate to have heard these yourself. They hurt today, but they tell you the kind of person he is."
"Smoking is not good for your health, and you should try to quit ...."
Shelby braced herself for the retort, but Samantha nodded instead. She decidedly brought the unfinished pack and threw it into the nearest bin. Then Samantha proceeded to use a tissue to pick up all the butts and add them to the bin too. Even Shelby was amazed and couldn’t help but think if that was another passing phase.
’We’ll take each day as it comes!’ Shelby thought and then brought out an exquisite brooch from her pocket.
"Let’s think good thoughts today. We’ll figure out his issue later. Here..."
Shelby handed it to Samantha, who looked confused. She wondered if Shelby had always been like that because that made her feel worse.
"Happy belated birthday!"
"I thought you didn’t know my birthday!’
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