chapter148

"Well? What are you waiting for?" Lydia's voice was ice cold.

Sandy stepped forward, eyes red and swollen, looking at Lydia with a pitiful expression. "Lydia, I bought the antlers. I got scammed. This has nothing to do with Mom and Dad. Please, just let them go."

Lydia raised an eyebrow, her tone mocking. "Didn't someone say that they wouldn't go back on their word?"

Milana was about to lose it. "Lydia! How can you be so ungrateful? We raised you for eighteen years. We never asked you for anything, and now you insult us like this?"

"You said it yourself," Lydia replied coolly.

Milana's eyes burned with anger. Lydia, just wait and see. When you can't survive at the Norwood family anymore, don't come crawling back to us, begging for another chance."

"That day will never come," Lydia said. Her voice was calm, but her eyes were full of contempt.

Milana was shaking with rage. "Fine. You said it. Remember that."

Lydia nodded, unfazed. Yes, I did. So, can we get started?"

Sandy's voice trembled as she pleaded, Sis, this all started because of me. Don't take it out on Mom and Dad. I'll take their place."

Before anyone could stop her, Sandy clenched her jaw, lifted her hand, and slapped herself, hard. The smacks rang out in the room, one after another, each one sharper than the last. Her cheeks turned red and swollen so fast, it was painful to watch.

Milana's eyes filled with tears. Any thought she had of asking Sandy to donate her kidneys to Luke disappeared in an instant. No matter what, this was still her daughter. "Sandy, enough, please. Stop it," Milana choked out, wishing she could tear Lydia apart.

"I'm fine, Mom, Sandy whispered, her voice fragile, but she didn't stop. She wanted the man Lydia brought home to see just how cruel her sister could be.

By the time she finished all sixty slaps, Sandy's face was swollen beyond

recognition. Even though she'd tried to hold back, the sheer number of blows left her cheeks mottled and puffy.

"Sandy, my poor girl," Milana cried, rushing over to hold her up. She turned and shot a hateful glare at Mrs. Smith and Lydia. Mom, this is the granddaughter you loved so much. I swear, if Lydia ever comes tome for help, I'll make her pay for today a hundred times over."

Jenson looked at Lydia, disappointment written all over his face. "Lydia, you've really let us down."

Lydia just folded her arms and smiled, not bothered in the least. "Your disappointment doesn't really matter to me."

She still remembered being a little girl, working herself to the bone just for a single word of praise from them. No matter how hard she tried, she could never measure up to their precious son. All she ever got was neglect, blame, and insults. After a while, she stopped caring. In their eyes, she was always wrong anyway.

"Jenson, let's go. Sandy's face is a mess. We need to get her to the hospital," Milana snapped, not even looking at Lydia as she hurried Jenson out of the room.

Jenson paused at the door, glancing back at Mrs. Smith, his mind still on his son. "Mom, please, don't forget about Luke's surgery. We're taking Sandy to see a doctor. As for Lydia, she's no longer part of the Smith family. It'd be best if you kept your distance from her. Don't let her

mess up our family again."

As Milana and Jenson stormed out, Mrs. Smith could only shake her head and sigh.

How could they be so clueless?

Grandma, don't let them get to you," Lydia said quietly.

Mrs. Smith looked at Lydia with gentle eyes and a heavy heart. "Lyds, they're just so blind. They have no idea that you're the only one who can save Luke."