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Chapter 4

Author: White Stone
last update Last Updated: 2024-12-16 19:46:04
Aunt Leah's expression froze the moment she realized what I was about to do.

I flipped to the marked page in my notebook in front of everyone and said softly, "I moved into Aunt Leah's home when I was 15 years old.

"This is my seventh year living here, and according to my calculations, I still owe Aunt Leah 38,420 dollars. Once I graduate, I'll make sure to pay you back."

As soon as the words left my mouth, Camila couldn't hold back. "Seven years, and you only cost us 38,420 dollars? Who are you trying to fool?

"Tuition, living expenses, pocket money, the roof over your head, and the food you ate—that's got to be hundreds of thousands of dollars at the very least."

She then shot a disdainful glance at the notebook in my hands. "What kind of fake accounting are you doing in there?"

From the very first day I moved into Aunt Leah's house, I knew Camila didn't like me. She felt I was taking up her space and stealing her mother's love. That was why she would always find ways to target me.

She would mess up the room I had just cleaned and complain that the food I cooked was disgusting and dump it straight into the trash.

Even so, most of her antics were just petty mischief. There was nothing that truly hurt me.

I stayed calm and replied evenly, "I've accounted for everything. Rent and living expenses are calculated based on the local market rates for each month.

"The reason it's only this much is because I subtracted the scholarships I received and the money I earned from part—"

Before I could finish, Aunt Leah interrupted me. She gave me an awkward look and said, "Oh, sweetheart, you're part of the family now. Why bother keeping track of things like this?"

As soon as Camila heard Aunt Leah's words, her mood soured. Ignoring the presence of Uncle Randy's family, she stomped her foot and burst out angrily, "Who is family with her? You said I'd always be your only daughter!

"We've already done enough for her. She should be grateful! If it were anyone else, her life would've been so much worse.

"She's just a poor little orphan, so what's with the attitude? I really don't get why everyone's defending her."

And there it was—the reality of my place in Aunt Leah's home. Out of the three of us, I was always the least wanted. That was why Camila could so brazenly, so unapologetically stab me where it hurt the most.

Eden was visibly fuming at this point. She stepped forward to confront her, but Aunt Athena pulled her back.

At that moment, Aunt Leah raised her voice and scolded Camila harshly, "You shut your mouth! It's my fault for spoiling you and turning you into this ungrateful, unruly mess!"

Well, that was something I had never seen her do before. She then sighed from her bed while turning to me with a weak smile. "Cam just says things without thinking. Paisley, don't take her words to heart. And there's no need for you to repay me.

"As long as you live a happy and peaceful life, I'll feel like I've done right by my late brother."

She put on a kind, maternal tone and spoke earnestly, "Your only task right now is the same as Cam's—focus on your studies. Don't waste your energy on things that don't matter."

For some reason, I could hear that her voice carried a faint note of insincerity. It was a wavering I couldn't ignore.

If this were my first life, her words would've moved me to tears. I would've believed that I'd finally become part of this family.

Yet, everything that happened in my past life served as a cold reminder that direct blood ties were not so easily severed.

No matter how hard I tried, I was simply incomparable to Camila in Aunt Leah's heart. Since that was the case, why should I keep deluding myself?

I would repay Aunt Leah the money I owed, and we'd be done. There'd be no more entanglements.

I forced a faint smile and was about to say something when Uncle Randy snatched the notebook from my hands.

"Randy, what's so interesting about that ledger? You should be worrying about me instead!" Aunt Leah's voice shot up as she saw Uncle Randy snatch the notebook.

Her face turned even paler—whether from pain or panic, it was hard to tell.

Her reaction made me suddenly aware that something felt off.
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Latest chapter

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  • My Aunt's Will   Chapter 4

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  • My Aunt's Will   Chapter 3

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  • My Aunt's Will   Chapter 2

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    "Paisley Clark, I've always known you only took care of me all these years because of my inheritance. You never actually cared about me."You've lived in my house for years without paying a single cent in rent, and now, you want me to give you money?"Let me tell you this—my money is mine to do with as I please. Even if I decide to throw it all away, you won't get a penny. Cam is my daughter, my own flesh and blood. So what if I decide to leave it all to her?"Take this 50,000 dollars as my compensation for you, and get out of my face. From now on, we owe each other nothing!"When I walked out of the hospital, my aunt, Leah Clark's words kept ringing in my ears.I had taken care of her for 15 years. I never once complained about the hardship or exhaustion that I faced every day.I even worked while supporting her for those 15 years. I never got married, never had children, and wasted the best years of my life.It wasn't because I didn't have feelings or couldn't fall in love. It

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