Chapter 4 Biological Sister

Lily doubled over, coughing like she'd rip a lung out.

"Don't think playing sick helps," Peter snapped.I told you to care for Sophie, not make her fetch lunch for you! And then you had the nerve to trip her on purpose. Do you even have a conscience?"

Lily coughed, "I didn't push her, she—"

"Are you seriously gonna say she just fell 'cause she was unsteady? Do you think I'm that gullible? Admit it, you did it on purpose!"

Lily's eyes burned, but she stood tall. "I don't admit it."

Suddenly, Peter's hand connected with her face, the sting immediate and sharp.

The slap stung, but her heart hurt more.

She felt numb.

"Why'd you hit her, Peter?" Michael burst in

"She's heartless, Michael! Sophie's hurt 'cause of her," Peter said, Sophie glaring in the doorway, hand bandaged.

Her eyes were red as she spoke. "Peter, I already told you, it's my fault. It's not Lily's fault."

"You're too soft, Sophie. She needs a lesson!"

Peter raised his hand to strike again when a loud scraping sound interrupted. 

Dennis had pulled out a chair, the legs screeching on the floor.

Lily looked up.

Dennis stood tall, cold gaze sweeping the room. "Her family?"

Michael nodded. "Yeah, we're her brothers."

"She's got a fever of 39°C, probably an infection, and needs more tests. Her sugar levels are low, and she's underweight."

Peter's face fell. "She's really that sick?" He'd thought Lily was just pretending.

Dennis spoke slowly, with a hint of disdain. "You might want to get your eyes checked if you couldn't see that."

Lily's face was pale and sickly. How could they have missed it?

Peter was flustered. "What are you implying?"

Dennis's voice was icy. "Exactly what I said. Even if she's your adopted sister, you should take care of her."

Lily's eyes flashed with sarcasm at the word "adopted."

Michael quickly corrected him. "She's our biological sister, not adopted."

Dennis raised an eyebrow. "You'd need a magnifying glass to see that. If you hadn't said you were family, I'd have called the cops for child abuse!"

Peter looked at Lily's swollen face, his tone still harsh. "You don't get it. I'm teaching her a lesson!"

Michael was at a loss for words.

He had thought Lily was strong and wouldn't get sick like Sophie did after falling into the water.

Peter snarled at Dennis. "She's faking it.""Lily hurt Sophie on purpose. Sophie's dad died saving her. Sometimes I think she's heartless."

Lily bit back her words. No point arguing.

Sophie whispered, "It's my fault..." "Yours, yeah."

Dennis's gaze froze. "You shouldn't be here.""Don't waste our time if you're gonna be weak."

Lily's eyes locked on the nurse, surprised. Was he defending her?

Lily's eyes pricked. Even a stranger saw it.

Sophie's face tightened.

Dennis' words stung. Didn't he see she's sick? Why wasn't he buying it? This always worked.

Sophie looked down, playing the victim.

Peter jumped in. "Sophie's pushing herself for the SATs." "She's trying to make up for stuff with Lily, but Lily's not having it."

Lily saw the irony. Peter wanted her to cater to Sophie, but Sophie's studying came first?

He knew about the looming SATs too.

Michael intervened, "Peter, take Sophie home." Sophie shot back, "Michael! You deaf or something?"Peter shut up and led Sophie out. The room went quiet.

Michael frowned. "Lily, if you're not gonna look out for Sophie, fine. But don't pull this kinda stuff again."

Lily buried her head. Her throat was on fire. She yanked the blanket over her head, shutting them out.

"Lily, keep this up and I can't cover for you no more."

Michael's anger flared. He ripped off the blanket. "Let's go. Now."

He needed to talk to Lily. Sophie was gonna get crushed.

Dennis gripped Michael's arm, eyes icy. "She's not going anywhere till that IV's done. Wait outside."

Lily stared in surprise at the man standing tall in front of Michael. 

Her gaze landed on a grawny scar on his wrist. She had one like it on her leg from a childhood car crash.

Was he in a wreck too? Michael stood firm. "I'm her bro. We're taking her home. We've got a doctor there."

Dennis pushed, "A doctor, huh? So why'd she have a fever this long?" Michael glanced at Lily, guilt kicking in. "She didn't say nothing."

He'd tried to check her forehead that morning, but she'd dodged him. Was that a sign? Maybe Lily was sick of dealing with stuff.

Dennis's tone turned icy. "Sir, you try taking her and I'll report you for child abuse. By law," if a child faces domestic violence, she can apply for protection."

"I'm her biological brother, her guardian!"

"But I saw you hit her with my own eyes. There's surveillance footage too. I'm sure the police will make a fair judgment."

Dennis was calm but firm. "She doesn't want to go with you now. You can't force her."

Lily's chest fluttered, and she sneaked a look at her defender.