Three days had passed, and she was finally discharged. Amelia stood at the entrance of the hospital with nothing but the clothes the nurse had bought for her. During the past three days, she had gotten close to the nurse, and the nurse had begun to see her as a daughter.
"Make sure you take proper meals, and if you don't have enough, make sure to call me," the nurse said for the nth time.
"Yes, Aunty," Amelia answered.
"Take care of yourself, dear," the nurse whispered and enveloped Amelia in a gentle hug.
"Thank you for everything," Amelia replied softly. She stepped back, giving the nurse a slight smile before turning toward the waiting taxi.
As the taxi began to move, she took one last look at the nurse and waved goodbye. Somehow, she found herself missing the hospital. She had received more love and attention there than Amelia Cosgrove had received in her entire twenty years of existence.
"Address?" the taxi driver asked.
"Cosgrove Mansion."
After a while, Amelia looked out the window, taking in the scenery of the huge buildings and the very few trees.
While amazed by the vast development of this world, she found the architecture quite distasteful—almost everything looked the same. Big buildings with wide glass windows were all she could see.
Soon, the taxi approached the Cosgrove Mansion, and Amelia couldn't help but tighten her grip on the bag. This was mostly due to fear and uncertainty; she had taken over another person's life, after all.
The taxi pulled over at the entrance of the Cosgrove Mansion.
"Thank you," Amelia said dryly.
After walking a few steps, she looked back at the taxi, which was about to drive away.
Maybe she should just go back to the hospital and become the nurse's adopted daughter.
Ugh.
Today was the day she was discharged from the hospital, and despite her being missing for a week and three days, her family didn't seem to care much. So when she pushed the door open, the house was filled with bustling and excitement.
Inside, Lilac, Ray, and Ace were together, seemingly talking about something exciting, as they all had cheerful smiles on their faces.
As soon as she stepped in, the smiles on their faces fell.
Ray clicked his tongue in visible annoyance. "Oh, look who decided to show up."
Ace's gaze dropped to the floor, guilt written all over his face, while Lilac sprang up from her seat, her soft, angelic expression tinged with surprise and concern.
"Amelia! Oh, thank goodness you're back!" Lilac exclaimed as she rushed toward her, her sweet voice dripping with worry. She reached out as though to hug her, but Amelia stepped back, her expression cold.
Lilac hesitated, her hand dropping slightly, but she still kept her smile. "Where have you been all these days? We've been so worried about you." Her voice softened, her tone almost scolding but seemingly wrapped in sugary kindness. "You weren't... hanging out with those bad friends again, were you? You know Dad told you to stop associating with them."
Amelia remained silent as she studied them, quite amused by their theatrics.
Ray scoffed, leaning back against the couch. "Why do you even care, Lilac? Let her hang out with whoever she wants. She's stubborn and doesn't listen to anyone. You should stop being so kind to her."
Lilac turned to Ray with her cheeks puffed up. "But she's my sister, Ray. I can't just let her stray away like this."
Ray smirked coldly and shook his head. "You're too good for your own good, Lilac. But you shouldn't be so kind. Some people..." he turned and looked at Amelia with disdain, "...will only take you for granted."
Lilac bit her lip as though hurt by what Ray had said, then turned to Amelia, her dark, doe-like eyes brimming with concern. "Don't say that, Ray. Amelia's just... misunderstood. I'm sure she didn't mean to worry us. Right, Amelia?" She paused, clearly waiting for Amelia to lash out as she usually did.
At least she would get her attention.
Amelia merely looked at them, her gaze cold and detached, as if they were a bunch of talking ants. She muttered under her breath, "What a bunch of nuisances," before turning to head upstairs.
Ray rose from the couch angrily.
"Hey! Where do you think you're going after saying that to us? Stop right there!"
Amelia paused and then let out a short, mocking laugh. She turned her head slightly, her expression devoid of any emotion.
"It seems you've got water in your head if you think you have the audacity to order me, your older sister, to stop for you."
Ray's face twisted in anger. "I never considered you my sister," he spat.
"Good riddance," Amelia said with a sneer. "I was already embarrassed to have an idiot like you as my younger brother."
Ray's face burned with anger, and he stormed toward her, grabbing her wrist roughly, just enough to leave a bruise.
Before he could say another word, Amelia, already quite pissed, raised her free hand and slapped him hard across his face.