"What?" Jiang Meilin sprang up from the bed, ignoring the pain that shot through her side. Genuine terror flashed across her face at this unexpected development. Their mother, Vera Blackwood, was the formidable matriarch of the Blackwood Family, a woman who could give most men a run for their money with her fierce aura alone. "How did Mom know? No, scratch that – is she still coming here?"
Reginald couldn't help but laugh at his sister's panicked expression. It was a rare sight to see the feared heiress of the Blackwood family reduced to a nervous kitten. "What? Afraid she'll pull you out of your little... adventure?"
Seeing the genuine distress on her face, he softened his tone. "How could you get yourself injured, Rose? How could you be so reckless? You know how worried Mom gets. She was scared out of her mind this time."
Seeing as her expression was not getting any better he decided not to scare her anymore. Reginald grinned. "You underestimate the power of the Blackwood information network, dear sister."
"But... but..." Jiang Meilin sputtered.
"'But' nothing," Reginald cut her off. "You're lucky I intercepted her before she could hop on the jet. Otherwise, you'd be facing the wrath of Hurricane Vera right now."
Jiang Meilin groaned, falling back onto her pillows. "I'm doomed."
"Probably," Reginald agreed cheerfully. "So, want to tell me how the great Rosie Blackwood ended up in a hospital bed? I thought you were supposed to be, and I quote, 'laying low and focusing on art.'"
"I am focusing on art!" Jiang Meilin protested. "This was just a... minor setback. Besides, it wasn't Rosie Blackwood but Jiang Meilin who was attacked."
Reginald snorted. "Minor setback? Is that what we're calling 'getting shot' these days? Unfortunately for you, I'm visiting Rosie Blackwood now not your 'Jiang Meilin'"
"I wasn't shot," Jiang Meilin huffed. "It was more of a... forceful poke."
"With a bullet," Reginald added helpfully.
"Details, details," Jiang Meilin waved her hand dismissively. "Anyway, shouldn't you be off partying and breaking innocent girls' hearts somewhere?"
Reginald clutched his chest in mock offense. "You wound me, sister dear. Can't a brother check on his beloved twin without ulterior motives? So much for saving you from Mom."
"Not when that brother is you," Jiang Meilin retorted. "Come on, spill. What's the real reason you're here?"
Before Reginald could answer, his phone buzzed. He glanced at the screen, then back at his sister, a wicked grin spreading across his face. "Speak of the devil," he mouthed, before answering the call and putting it on speakerphone.
"Hi, Mom," he said, his voice dripping with fake cheerfulness.
"Reginald, how is your sister? Is Rosie alright?" Their mother's frantic voice filled the room, concern evident in every syllable.
"Gee, Mom, I'm fine, thanks for asking," Reginald replied, his sarcasm dialled up to eleven. "You're on speakerphone, by the way."
"Hi, Mom," Jiang Meilin chimed in, her voice breaking slightly. She hadn't spoken to her mother since leaving home – that was their deal – but hearing her voice again unleashed a flood of emotions she hadn't expected. "I'm fine, Mom," she continued, trying to steady her quivering voice.
There was a moment of stunned silence before Vera Blackwood's voice came through again, softer this time. "Rosie? Is that really you, darling?"
"Yeah, Mom," Jiang Meilin replied, fighting back tears. "It's me."
"Oh, my sweet girl," Vera's voice cracked with emotion. "It's been so long. Are you truly alright? What happened?"
Jiang Meilin took a deep breath. "I'm fine, Mom. Really. It was just a small accident."
"Small accident?" Reginald interjected. "She got herself shot, Mom!"
"Reginald!" Jiang Meilin hissed, throwing a pillow at her brother's head.
"Shot?" Vera's voice rose an octave. "Rosie Eliza Blackwood, you better start explaining right this instant. How could you be so careless?"
As Jiang Meilin launched into a heavily edited version of events, Reginald caught her eye and mouthed, "You're welcome." She responded with a glare that promised future retribution.
A heavy sigh crackled through the speaker. "Rosie, darling, this is enough. You've done enough, and you've paid your debt to Jiang Meilin, even though I'm certain she never meant for you to do this. That girl loved you like a sister and will never want you to put yourself through this." There was a pause, filled with unspoken worry and love. "Its been almost two years, please come home, darling."