Chapter 6: Isn't It Only Natural for a Brother to Want to Hear His Sister Call His Name?

"Say it again."

Alistair’s voice was lazy and low. Clara’s ears flushed a deep, vivid red in an instant.

"Brother Alistair."

"Tsk." The man behind her clicked his tongue in dissatisfaction, his fingers idly rubbing her soft earlobe. "If you don't say it properly..."

His voice carried a hint of warning, a danger like a gathering storm.

"Brother Alistair!"

This time, her voice was soft and thin, tinged with a slight urgency.

Alistair looked down at her long, distinct eyelashes; he could see every delicate curve at their tips.

Just like her, they were captivating.

"Not bad. Try harder next time."

Alistair released his grip on Clara. Before she could even breathe a sigh of relief, he planted a firm kiss on her cheek.

The sound was so loud it could practically be heard outside the door.

"You... you..."

Clara spun around, staring at him in shock.

Alistair simply leaned against the wall with a languid air, a tired but teasing smile on his lips that was hard to distinguish between playfulness and genuine flirtation.

"Isn't it only natural for a brother to want to hear his sister call his name?"

What did he mean by "natural"?

Downstairs in the living room, the atmosphere had turned glacial since Alistair had led Clara away.

Mia felt like every second spent there was a form of torture. Finally, she braced herself and spoke up: "If Mom and Julian don't need anything else, I'll go upstairs now."

"Stay right where you are. I have questions for you."

Julian’s tone was cold and hard. Mia instinctively feared that he had discovered what she had done to Clara.

But she had been so careful—how could he possibly have found out?

Mrs. Jian looked at Julian in confusion. Although Mia wasn't biologically related to them, her son had never cared about such things before.

Why was he suddenly taking such a harsh tone with her?

"Mia, did you send that text message found on Clara’s phone?"

Mia’s heart skipped a beat, but she forced herself to remain calm. "What text? Julian, what are you talking about? Did something happen to Clara?"

"You'd better not be playing dumb. Otherwise, the consequences will be more than you can handle."

Julian stood up and walked toward her, step by step.

Having grown up together for twenty years, they knew exactly what each other’s smallest facial expressions meant.

"What are you two talking about?"

Mrs. Jian stood up, her face full of anxiety. It sounded like this matter involved both of her daughters.

"Julian, what text message?"

Julian tucked his hands into his pockets, subtly taking a step back.

"The reason Clara went to the speedway today was because of an anonymous text she received."

"It was sent using my tone, saying I didn't have time to pick her up and giving her the address of the track."

"I can't think of anyone else who would even know my sister was back. Was it Silas Knight? I doubt it."

With every word Julian spoke, Mia’s heart hammered harder with panic.

"What did you say?"

Mr. Jian strode out of the kitchen, staring at Julian. "Someone tried to hurt Clara, didn't they?"

In an instant, the eyes of all three Jian family members turned toward Mia.

Unable to withstand the pressure, Mia took two steps back, her mind racing for a desperate plan.

"Yes... I did it."

Mia confessed boldly. She knew she couldn't hide it from them anymore. Instead of letting them grow distant, it was better to play the victim; perhaps she could still win Mrs. Jian’s sympathy.

"I did it. I was just scared... scared that once she came back, you wouldn't want me anymore..."

Tears quickly filled Mia’s eyes.

"I’m so terrified. I knew if I said anything, you’d think I didn't welcome your biological daughter home. But how am I supposed to feel! I’m the one who spent the last twenty years with you, not her!"

Mia’s tears fell freely, but not one of the three Jian family members showed a hint of pity.

Just as Mrs. Jian was about to speak, a soft whimper came from behind them.

She turned to see Clara standing there, her clear eyes brimming with tears.

Yet she seemed determined not to cry out loud, her teeth biting into her lip so hard that blood began to seep from the pink skin.

Before Mrs. Jian could say a word, Clara suddenly turned and buried her head in Alistair’s chest, sobbing violently, her shoulders shaking.

A dark, haunting light flickered in Alistair’s eyes, devoid of any warmth.

Everyone present could tell that Alistair Vance was truly furious.

Mia was so terrified by his gaze that she even forgot to keep crying.

Alistair didn't care who he was scaring; he only knew that the person in his arms was sobbing so hard she could barely catch her breath.

The front of his shirt was soaked, but Alistair—who usually hated being touched—felt nothing but a sharp ache in his heart.

"Stop crying."

Alistair didn't know how to comfort people. He only felt that his attempt made the girl in his arms cry even harder.

He let out a silent sigh and used one hand to tilt Clara’s chin up.

Feeling her resistance, he increased his pressure.

When Clara finally looked up, her face was flushed and her eyes were wet and puffy.

"Your parents and brother are watching."

Alistair whispered the reminder, though it sounded more like he was reminding himself.

The way Clara looked right now... he desperately wanted to just lean down and kiss her.

Clara turned around, her face full of guilt as she spoke. "I’m sorry, Mom, Dad, Julian... I made you worry. I’m fine..."

Before Clara could finish, Mrs. Jian rushed forward and pulled her into a tight embrace.

"I'm sorry... I'm so sorry, Clara. It's my fault. I didn't protect you. It’s all my fault..."

Mrs. Jian cried bitterly, while Mr. Jian and Julian looked away, their eyes stinging.

They didn't know how much suffering Clara had endured with her adoptive parents to make her apologize the moment she felt wronged, taking all the blame upon herself.

Clara rested her chin on Mrs. Jian’s shoulder. Mr. Jian and Julian stood on either side of her, while Alistair remained behind her.

Only Mia was facing her directly.

Clara offered a tiny smile. One second she was sobbing heart-wrenchingly, and the next, she shot Mia a look of pure, cold provocation.

You stole twenty years of my happy life. Who are you to play the victim now?

Who will repay me for the twenty years of hell I endured in your place!

The water dungeons, the pitch-black solitary confinement, the pits of snakes—who had ever worried about her then? Who had ever truly loved her!

All of that pain should have belonged to Mia!

Mia shuddered at Clara’s smile, wondering if she was hallucinating. How could such a pure face harbor such a terrifying expression?

"Mother, none of this is your fault."

Clara pulled away from the embrace and wiped her mother’s tears, smiling through her own. "I'm back now. Please don't be sad anymore."

"As for Sister Mia..."

Clara turned to look at her, offering a look of pure, innocent kindness.

"I’m very willing to live in peace with her. I understand how she feels."

"So, if Sister Mia can accept me, I would be very happy."

Mia swallowed hard. Clara’s current expression and words made it seem as though that terrifying smile from a moment ago had been nothing but a figment of her imagination.

"Sister Mia, would you consider it?"