Aaron blinked in surprise. “He’s been on leave for several days? Did he take leave on the 4th?
“Yes,” the doctor replied.
Aaron thanked the doctor and quickly left..
When Aaron arrived, the Lawrence family hadn’t headed to Tiffany’s ward yet.
Aaron was out of breath as he said, “Adam’s not here. I heard from another doctor that he’s been on leave for several days–specifically, he started his leave on the 4th.”
Maria’s face paled with anxiety as she immediately turned to Hugh. “Why did you have to say all that to him that day? If something really happens to him, what are we supposed to do?”
Hugh frowned. “He’s a grown man; what trouble could he possibly get into? Aaron, call him and make sure hees home today.
“If he doesn’te back today, then he shouldn’t bothering back ever again.”
Aaron hesitated. “Dad, Adam’s just having a rough patch. Don’t be mad at him.”
Andrew, realizing Hugh was serious, quickly spoke up for Adam. “Dad, you know how stubborn Adam can be. Give him some space–once he’s sorted things out, he’lle back on his own.”
Archie, even if he was still annoyed about getting shoved by Adam for Alicia, couldn’t stand the idea of Adam being kicked out for good.
After all, they were brothers. He added, “Dad, he’s my brother and your son.”
“If he weren’t my own son, I’d have had someone break his legs by now,” Hugh snapped. “Enough, you all stop defending him. Aaron, call him.”
Maria, clearly anxious, tried to step in. “Hugh, Adam is our son. How could you-”
“This isn’t your concern,” Hugh cut her off. “Go help Tiffany get her things together. We’re not going into the ward–we’ll just wait for her outside.”
When Hugh got serious, no one in the Lawrence family dared to argue with him. <fn4055> For original chapters go to find[?]ovel</fn4055>
Maria was worried sick about Adam but didn’t dare say much.
On her way to the ward, she stopped beside Aaron and whispered, “If you manage to talk to Adam, try to get him to make peace with your dad. Deep down, your father really does(care about him.”
Aaron nodded.
With that, Maria went off to check on Tiffany in her ward.
<b>15:41 </b>Wed<b>, </b><b>Oct </b><b>1 </b>
Aaron tried calling Adam. The phone was on and connected–just nobody answered.
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Aaron nced over at Hugh, then sent a WhatsApp message: [Adam, Dad needs you home today. It’s really important. You muste back, seriously–don’t ignore this.]
After firing off the message, Aaron wondered if Adam would even see it. Maybe he’d have to check Adam’s dorm after picking up Tiffany.
Hugh was watching Aaron’s calls. When he saw Adam hadn’t picked up, he just snorted coldly and didn’t say another word.
When Maria led Tiffany out of the hospital, Hugh and the Lawrence brothers were already waiting outside, all smiles, ready to wee her back.
Aaron grinned, “Wee back home, Tiffany.”
Andrewughed, “So d to see you’ve recovered, Tiffany.”
Archie called out, “Tiffany, I’m here to pick you up.”
Hugh opened his arms wide. “My precious girl, you’ve finally recovered; make sure to take good care of yourself from now on, alright?”
Tiffany threw herself into Hugh’s arms, smiling sweeter than ever. She couldn’t help but feel a little smug; Alicia never got weed home like this, did she?
‘Yeah, she took my ce in the Lawrence family for twelve years, but that doesn’t matter. When ites to Mom, Dad, and the boys, I’m still the one they care about most,‘ Tiffany thought.
Tiffany stepped out of Hugh’s arms and nced around at her other brothers, but Adam was nowhere to be
seen.
Her brows furrowed. “Where’s Adam? Is he still busy in his office at the hospital?”
Tiffany couldn’t help but feel pretty hurt inside that Adam hadn’te to pick her up.
Adam literally worked at the hospital, so he should’ve been the first to show up, but he was nowhere to be found. Seriously, it was like she didn’t matter to him at all.
Tiffany put on her best pitiful look and said, “Is Adam still upset with me because of Alicia? If that’s really it, I’ll go apologize to Alicia, okay? Would that make things right?”
Aaron gave her a reassuring smile. “Don’t worry, Tiffany. Adam’s just wrapped up with work. Let’s head home first.”
Tiffany bit her lip, mumbling to herself, “Is something really that important that he can’t even bother to show
mportant up when I’m leaving the hospital?”
Tiffany just whispered it under her breath, and nobody answered her.
‘Adam’s getting way out of line,‘ Tiffany thought to herself, her anger bubbling up. ‘Is he actually going to side
15:41 Wed, <b>Oct </b><b>1 </b>
with Alicia now? No way am I letting that happen. He’s supposed to be my brother.
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I have toe up with something to pull Adam back to my side. If only I could make him see just how nasty Alicia really is. But now that Alicia doesn’t live with us. I’ll have to make my move at school instead.
Tiffany spent the whole trip home plotting ways to win Adam back over, but still hadn’te up with anything by the time they arrived.
As soon as they got home, Aaron said he had something to deal with and headed out to Adam’s dorm.
The rest of the family crowded around Tiffany, showering her with care. Andrew was busy peeling an apple. Archie worked on an orange, and Tiffany just sat there, enjoying the attention.
Tiffany waited as Maria lovingly took the fruit her brothers had prepared, slicing it up and feeding each juicy bite right to her mouth.
Hugh, meanwhile, went straight to his study.
An hourter, Hugh came out of his study and announced, “I’ve decided to make Alicia withdraw from Premier Academy.”
Archie and Andrew’s faces lit up with excitement.
Andrew pped his hands together. “Yes. That’s perfect. She thinks she’s so tough, huh? I want to see how tough she is when she can’t even get an education.”
Archie grinned, “Dad, you’re the best. She really needs a wake–up call. I can’t wait to see here crawling back, begging us for help.”
Just then, Aaron and Adam came in from outside, arriving just in time to hear those words.
Adam stormed in, fury written all over his face. “Dad, Alicia called you Dad for twelve years. How could you be so cruel?<b>” </b>
“She chose to leave the Lawrence family,” Hugh replied coldly. “Since she’s no longer one of us, she doesn’t get to rely on anything from us anymore. That applies to everyone, including you, Adam.”
Adam’s face drained of color. He gave a cold, mockingugh and took a step back. “Alright. I get it.”
Adam spun around and left without another word.
Tiffany’s eyes lit up with an idea. “This is the perfect chance to win Adam over. Plus, I don’t want Alicia to leave school just yet,’ she wondered, ‘I still need her around as my personal foil‘
Tiffany jumped up from the couch and rushed over to Adam, wrapping her arms around his waist. “Adam, please don’t go.
“Dad’s just saying that because he’s mad. I promise, I won’t let Alicia leave school. I’ll talk to Dad. I’ll make him change his mind.”
Adam froze mid–step, his voice rough and quiet. “Tiffany, let go. I can’t stay in this house anymore.”
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“No, I won’t. I’m not letting go, Adam. You’ll always be my brother, no matter what.” Tiffany wrapped her arms tighter around Adam’s waist, refusing to let him leave.
Then Tiffany spun around, practically begging Hugh. “Dad, please don’t make Alicia drop out of Premier Academy, okay? She just left home because she was upset.
“It’s not really her fault. I’ll talk to her and convince her toe back. Please, Dad, I’m really begging you this time. Can you let her stay at school for me?”
Hugh looked at Tiffany, his brow furrowed slightly.
Maria’s heart ached as she spoke, clearly feeling for her daughter. “Tiffany, you really are too kind. Even after everything Alicia’s put you through, you’re still willing to speak up for her.”
Tiffany replied gently, her tone soft and sincere, “Mom, no matter what, Alicia’s still the daughter you and Dad raised.
<i>“</i>I know you two don’t really want to see her leave either. I’ll talk to her and try to bring her back; please, let’s not make her quit school, alright?”
<b>AD </b>