Chapter 7 Why Are You Packing Up?
Chapter 7 Why Are You Packing Up?
This was the answer Austin had been hoping to hear. <fncd55> Original content can be found at find{n}ovel</fncd55>
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However, for some reason, when he looked into Dawn’s calm, unwavering eyes, an inexplicable heaviness welled up in his chest. That feeling waspletely out of his control.
Austin averted his gaze and said, “Get some rest. Stop being so disobedient all the time.”
Dawn watched his retreating figure in amusement and exasperation.
All she had done was attend a friend’s newborn celebration without telling him andugh while Sydney wasining.
And, that was considered disobedience in his eyes.
She used to be so obedient.
No matter how bold and reckless she appeared to others, she had always been the quiet,pliant girl who never questioned anything in front of him.
Whether it was something he told her to do or someone he told her to stay away from–she had never once disobeyed him.
But Austin-
<i>From </i>now <i>on</i><i>, </i><i>I’m </i><i>going </i><i>to </i><i>live </i><i>for </i><i>myself</i><i>. </i>
After that unpleasant encounter, Dawn didn’t see Austin for several days. She was busy anyway. Her ssmates were preparing for their new jobs, so before they left, they met up a couple of times for farewell dinners.
Then, she started packing.
Having lived here for so many years, she had too much stuff to take everything with her. She could only bring what was most important.
She nned to donate the rest.
Sydney would probably be moving in soon.
Neither of them would want any trace of Dawn left in this house.
She started by pulling out her suitcases, then piled all the clothes she wanted to take on the
Chapter 7 Why Are You Packing Up?
bed. After that, she folded them neatly before packing them away.
She was in a good mood as music yed softly in the background.
Just as she was about done, a familiar, cold voice sounded from the doorway.
“Why are you packing?”
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Dawn’s good mood was instantly interrupted. She paused for a moment before replying, “I’ll be starting work soon. Since I have some free time, I thought I’d visit Dad, Mom, and Grandma before that.”
Even though she had grown up by Austin’s side, Harry and Sandra Osborne were her legal guardians. They had always treated her well. They were like family to her.
She didn’t know if she’d ever return after this trip to Northville.
She owed them a proper goodbye.
For a brief moment, panic shed in Austin’s eyes. But when he heard her exnation, he rxed, “When are you leaving? I’ll take you.”
The Osborne family business was founded in Pettington, not Trifton.
Dawn shook her head. “It’s fine. I can go on my own.”
Austin said nothing.
She looked up and met his questioning gaze.
Dawn knew he didn’t like it when she refused him, so she rarely did.
After some thought, she added, “Aren’t you busy spending time with Sydney these days? I’m not a child. I can handle this myself.”
Sure enough, the moment she mentioned Sydney, Austin’s expression darkened.
He said coldly, “Yeah. Sydney just got back–I need to help her settle in.
“Go ahead then. Just don’t go whispering nonsense to Harry and Sandra. You should know me well enough by now, Dawn–no little tricks will work on me.”
Dawn looked at his indifferent figure and lowered her gaze while chuckling.
<i>Did </i><i>he </i><i>think </i>I <i>was </i><i>going </i><i>back </i><i>just </i><i>to </i><iin </i><i>about </i><i>him</i><i>? </i>
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Chapter 7 Why Are You Packing Up?
Good <i>thing </i><i>I </i>had <i>already </i><i>let </i>go <i>of </i><i>my </i><i>feelings</i><i>. </i>
<i>If </i><i>this </i><i>had </i>been <i>the </i><i>old </i>me<i>, </i><i>those </i>words <i>would </i><i>have </i><i>hurt</i>.
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She took a deep breath, pulled herself together, and finished packing the rest of her things.
Just as she sat down, Ethan texted her. “How’s the packing going?”
“I still have a few things to sort out. I also n to visit my adoptive family,” Dawn replied.
“Alright. Let me know if you need anything.”
A momentter, another message popped up.
Ethan told her to stop by Alice’s therapy center to check on her back injury.
He must have guessed she’d refuse because instead of texting, he sent a voice message. “I heard from Alice about your back. If you don’t take care of it properly, you might end up withsting damage. Ms. Porter, are you ready for that?” He spoke in a deep voice.
A shiver ran down Dawn’s spine. She definitely didn’t want to live with a chronic back injury.
After hanging up, she booked a car and headed out.
Half an hourter, she arrived at the holistic therapy center.
When she went upstairs, the receptionist recognized her and smiled warmly. “Our boss is with someone right now. Would you mind waiting a little?”
Dawn nodded and the receptionist led her to the lounge.
A short whileter, a familiar figure stepped out from a private room nearby—it was Sydney.
She was dressed in an elegant tweed suit and her long hair was braided over one shoulder. She looked refined and graceful like a youngdy from a wealthy family.
Sydney noticed her and walked over with a smile.
“Dawn, you’re here too.”
Dawn had no intention of chatting. She merely gave a nonchnt hum and took a sip of water.
Sydney’s smile stiffened slightly. She pressed her lips together and asked, “Dawn, I don’t think I’ve ever done anything to hurt you. Why are you so hostile toward me?”
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Chapter 7 Why Are You Packing Up?
“You’re overthinking things.”
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Hostility was a kind of emotion, but Dawn felt nothing toward Sydney.
Sydney hated Dawn’s indifferent attitude because it was as if Dawn thought she was above it all and she couldn’t even be bothered to acknowledge her existence.
She forced a smile and continued, “If that’s the case, then shouldn’t we spend more time together since I’m your uncle’s girlfriend?”
Dawn frowned. “You’re Uncle Austin’s girlfriend, not mine. Why would I need to spend more time with you?”
Sydney was speechless for a moment.
“You–How can you say that?”
“How else should I say it?”
Dawn ced her water on the table and met her gaze directly. “Sydney, whatever happens between you and Uncle Austin is your business. Stop trying to involve me–it’s pointless.”
She wasn’t stupid.
Sydney kept testing her over and over, just to make sure there was nothing between her and Austin.
Dawn found it ridiculous.
Austin had already made it clear where he stood. What more did Sydney want?
Sydney’s smile finally faltered and she gritted her teeth. “Are you saying you’ve never had feelings for Austin?”
“I did,” Dawn admitted it openly, without even blinking. “But not anymore. And never again. You don’t like me and I don’t like you either. Let’s just be strangers from now on. There’s no need for this pointless act.”
Sydney had been ready to argue, but Dawn’s blunt words left her momentarily stunned.
After a long pause, she finally sneered, “You sound so righteous, but as a grown woman, don’t you think it’s inappropriate to have lived with an unrted man all this time? Doesn’t that make you feel ashamed?”
Dawn had tried to move out when she started college, but Austin hadn’t allowed it, insisting
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Chapter 7 Why Are You Packing Up?
she wouldn’t be able to take care of herself.
Now, Sydney was using that against her.
Dawn clenched her fists. “I will be moving out.”
Sydney pressed on, “When?”
:
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Before Dawn could answer, another voice cut in, “Oh? Ms. Peay, does Mr. Osborne know that you’re pushing his niece like this?”
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