Chapter 223 Using Alcohol As A Temporary Shield
Rachel released a soft sigh, her expression softening with maternal tenderness. “Alright, I promise.”
Natalia’s face lit up with pure joy. She thrust out her hand, her eyes sparkling with determination. “It’s a promise then. Cross my heart, hope to die, no take–backs.”
“Okay, no take–backs,” Rachel responded.
As Natalia wrapped her in a sudden embrace, she whispered a heartfelt request, “From now on, can you see me as your little sister?”
Rachel was stunned.
Initially, she believed Natalia was teasing, playing one of her impulsive games.
But when she caught the earnest, unwavering gaze in Natalia’s eyes, she realized the profound sincerity behind the words.
“You…” Rachel’s voice trailed off, uncertain.
Natalia pouted, her lips forming a stubborn curve. “You just promised–no take–backs.”
Rachel hesitated. “Do you really understand what you’re asking?”
“I do.”
Rachel couldn’t help but think Natalia was being a little too naive. She gently reminded her, “You know, your parents might not approve. And then there’s Brian… If we’re sisters, well, that means two sisters shouldn’t like the same person.”
She thought this might make Natalia reconsider.
To her surprise, Natalia’s expression didn’t waver. Instead, her eyes burned with determination as she nodded. “I know! That’s why–I’ve decided. I’m over him now.”
Rachel hadn’t expected that.
Given Natalia’s persistence, she didn’t seem like the kind of person to let go so easily.
Chapter 223 Using Alschet As A Temporary Swi
“Are you really sure?” Rachel pressed,
Natalia lifted her chin, blinking rapidly as if to hold back the sting of tears,
Then, with another resolute nod, she answered, “Yes, I’m sure.”
“Do you think you’ll regret it?
“No regrets.” Though her eyes shimmered, her voice remained steady.
Rachel exhaled, touched by the certainty in Natalia’s words. “Thank you for your sincerity, but… do you really understand my situation?”
Natalia tensed, as if afraid Rachel was about to refuse. “You already promised,” she said quickly.
Rachel shook her head. “That’s not what I meant. It’s just… this isn’t something to take lightly. You don’t really know much about me, my family, or Jeffrey. If, after learning everything–and if your parents are on board–then yes, I’d be happy to call you my
sister.”
Natalia’s eyes searched Rachel’s face. “You mean it? You’re not just saying that?”
“I mean it.”
The next second, Natalia looped her arm through Rachel’s with a bright smile. “Then tell me everything!”
A voice cut through their moment. Andres, who had been standing nearby in silence, finally spoke. “I’ll take you both home first. You can talk in the car.”
“Alright,” they answered in unison.
They left together, arms intertwined, deliberately passing Brian without a glance.
Their synchronized movement spoke volumes.
Brian watched them leave, a bitter smile playing on his lips.
“Rachel, Natalia, if my absence can bring you peace, I’m willing to step back.”
In this lifetime, he acknowledged, he had disappointed them.
Inside the car, Rachel began to share her story candidly. “Natalia, I’m not like you. I didn’t have a loving father. He remarried when I was young. My stepmother and stepsister, we’re like oil and water. They’ve always seen me as a constant irritation.”
Chapter 773Using Alcohol As A Temporary Shield
Natalia listened, her eyes wide with surprise,
“What about your mother?” she asked softly,
Rachel’s expression grew haunted. Her voice trembled as she took a deep, shuddering breath. “She passed away the day Jeffrey and I were born. She left this world bringing us into it.”
Natalia was stunned by the profound sadness underlying Rachel’s story.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to-”
“I know you didn’t mean any harm,” Rachel interrupted gently.
She continued, revealing the weight of her responsibilities, “I lost my mother early. Beyond protecting myself, I’ve dedicated my life to caring for Jeffrey. His autism. significantly impacts his social interactions, daily living, and professional opportunities. I’ll need to support him throughout his life. Compared to your relatively straightforward circumstances, my situation is considerably more complex.” Rachel’s voice softened with maternal concern. “So, Natalia, I hope you’ll carefully consider this and not act on pure impulse.”
When the car reached a convenient parking spot, Natalia requested, “Mr. Garrett, could we stop for a moment?”
“Certainly,” Andres replied.
She stepped out and immediately called her parents.
Upon returning, she embraced Rachel with unbridled excitement. “Rachel, my parents agreed. From today forward, you are a sister to me!”
Rachel looked genuinely surprised.
“You sought their approval right then and there?”
“Absolutely!”
Natalia’s unfiltered honesty was disarming.
Her sincerity touched Rachel deeply. “We promised, no take–backs. I’ll help you care for Jeffrey, treating him like my little brother.”
Rachel playfully tapped Natalia’s nose. “You’re too excited to remember–Jeffrey and I are twins. He’s actually older than you.”
Natalia paused, then cheered, “Oh, right! So he’ll be my elder brother. Perfect!” Her
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Chapter 223 Using Alcohol As A Temporary Shield
enthusiasm was infectious. “I’ve always craved siblings. My parents were cautious, warning me that people often have hidden motives. They restricted my connections, which only intensified my desire for familial bonds.” Her tone grew more serious. “I’ve been deceived before, which made me more guarded. But you, Rachel sought to exploit my status or manipulate me for personal gain. That’s why I trust my instincts. You’re genuinely a wonderful person.”
you never
Rachel felt a warmth spreading through her heart, grateful for this unexpected
connection.
Observing their emotional moment, Andres suggested, “Shall we celebrate with a meal?”
Natalia waved dismissively. “No, I want to drink.”
Rachel understood immediately. Natalia was masking her emotional pain, using alcohol as a temporary shield.
“Alright,” she agreed softly,
Natalia’s face lit up. “Rachel, you’re the best!”
In the most vibrant bar, after several drink rounds, Natalia’s inhibitions dissolved.
Intoxication allowed her suppressed emotions to surge forth.
Clutching her chest, she let out a shaky breath, pain evident in her expression. “Rachel it hurts. My heart feels like it’s being twisted by a knife.” Tears pooled in her eyes as her voice cracked. “Why does Brian only have eyes for Tracy? Why doesn’t he ever look
at me?”
She took another sip, but it did nothing to dull the ache. “It’s one thing if he doesn’t like me,” she went on, her voice trembling, “but he doesn’t even trust me. In his eyes, am I just some spoiled brat who throws tantrums? Someone capable of hurting others? Am I that awful to him?”
Her hands clenched into fists as fresh tears spilled over.
“How could he not see?” she whispered, voice breaking. “I was just testing him. I never meant to hurt Tracy. I would never go that far. But he… he didn’t believe me.”
A bitter sob escaped her lips. “For Tracy, he’d rather get hurt himself than take a step back. For her, he was willing to cast me aside without hesitation.” She bit her lip, her whole body trembling. “Am I really that insignificant to him?”
