Chapter 29
Chapter 29 Choose Who Matters
She couldn’t throw fit forever.
“Zora, come home with us,” Wendy begged.
She hadn’t expected Zora to refuse, and her chest ached sharply.
It felt as if her daughter truly didn’t want her anymore.
“That’s not my home. I don’t have a home here p>
It was the first thing Zora had said directly to them.
Her home was in Maplewood, with her mentor.
Finished
“Zora, I really am sorry. I judged you without knowing the truth. Please forgive me,” Wendy said, her eyes stinging.
Zora was disowning their family.
She didn’t want them anymore.
Wendy was truly regretful.
‘I forgive you. Don’t cry. It’s not your fault you don’t like me, but it’s not mine either. I’m not going back.
Just… pretend you never found me p>
Zora frowned at Wendy’s teary eyes. She hadn’t said anything cruel.
She wasn’t the one making her cry.
“Zora p>
Wendy’s throat burned. Her daughter really didn’t want her.
‘Stop looking at me like that. I didn’t do anything to you. You rejected me first. I’m just going along with
your choice.
“I told you the day I came back-if you didn’t want me, don’t take me in. If you ever grew tired of me, you could just say so. I wouldn’t stay p>
Zora didn’t understand why Wendy was so upset.
They were the ones who wanted her gone. Shouldn’t she be the one hurt?
She’d made it clear the first day back.
If they ever grew ashamed of her, she would leave.
Zora knew no one would put up with her except her mentor.
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Chapter 29 Chroosc Who Matters
Finished
Not even her so-called family.
But then… even her mentor had left her, like she was unwanted too.
Zora looked down, hiding her sadness.
Holden, sitting nearby, caught the flash of loss in her eyes. A strange, tight feeling settled in his chest.
Why was she sad?
They’d come to take her back. She was the one who said no.
His brow furrowed.
“Zora, are you really not coming? We won’t misunderstand you again.
‘We’ll even let go of what you did to Jolie. Just apologize to her, get along, and we won’t send you away,” Holden said.
‘I won’t apologize for something I didn’t do.
‘If you want the truth, go check for yourselves instead of listening to gossip and using no brains p>
Zora lifted her chin, meeting his eyes firmly.
She wouldn’t apologize for lies.
They couldn’t see through Jolie, but they shouldn’t blame everything on her.
“‘You!” Holden snapped. The little guilt he’d felt vanished, replaced by sharp anger-at being called foolish, at her refusal, or both.
‘Get out! What kind of bullshit is that? Why should Zora apologize for something she didn’t do? Use your heads and find out what really happened between them before you accuse anyone!
‘One mistake doesn’t mean you were right before.
“Zora’s a good kid. You’ll regret this.
“Leave. Zora stays with me. We’ll take care of her p>
Opal had heard enough.
r
“Come back only when you decide what to do about Jolie. I’ll be clear. If you want Zora home, only one girl can stay in that house.
“You need to choose who matters.
“Don’t come back until you figure it out p>
Opal was furious and chased them out.
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Chapter 29 Choose Who Matters
And you boys-Zora isn’t just your sister. Jensen and Kian love her, even if you don’t p>
She glared at Holden, whose face was dark.
As the Knox family left, Opal’s eyes locked on Holden, who glanced back.
She snorted. She’d wait until he begged Zora to forgive him.
Finished
Zora was wonderful, and they’d treated her terribly. They’d regret it.
Opal had lived long enough to see Holden’s quiet anger.
He was starting to care. He just didn’t know it yet.
Otherwise, he wouldn’t have bothered showing up, kept looking up at the upper floor, or shouted to stop her when she tried to go to her room.
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