Chapter 16 Merrick Hates Goodbyes
Chloe’s eyes widened in disbelief. I have a home!
Finished
She nervously clutched the hem of her clothes, uncertain. “Even though I’m not your child, you’re still taking me to meet my uncle?
Andres‘ brows twitched almost imperceptibly. He guiltily turned his head aside. “Yes. Your uncle will give you a place to live. From now on, you’re not an orphan anymore.”
Chloe stared at him in a daze, speechless.
The caretaker burst into tears of joy and pulled her into a hug. “That’s wonderful, Chloe! You finally have a good home! When you go back this time, you have to take good care of yourself. Whatever you do, please, please don’t come back!”
Chloe blinked her watery eyes, still not quite understanding. She had a home now. And she could see Andres.
A spark of joy lit up in her eyes, she couldn’t help but lift the corners of her lips in secret delight. But worried Andres might think she was smug, she quickly tried to hide it.
Still, she was happy. Andres glanced coldly at her, initially unwilling to make eye contact. But when he caught that moment, a flicker of warmth welled up in his heart, and the tight knot inside him suddenly unraveled.
It was like ice melting and spring blooming
Marvin and the others wore grim expressions, but since it was their father’s decision, they couldn’t say anything more. They could only prepare to welcome their half–sister home.
Merrick left without a sound.
No one noticed when he slipped away.
A few boys followed behind him. Seeing him like that, they felt a bit sorry for him. “Merrick, you clearly like Chloe so much -why didn’t you stop her? Or at least walk her out?”
Another kid scratched his head. “Yeah! You can’t just show up every time something happens to her, and then disappear once she’s fine again. You two are good friends, aren’t you supposed to share candy and get scolded together?”
“That’s called sharing joys and sorrows, dummy. Can you not hitcher phrases if you don’t know them?”
Merrick sat on the slide, his face gloomy and a hint of hostility in his eyes. “All of you, leave. Don’t hover around me. You’re annoying.
The boys‘ faces shifted; they didn’t dare say anything else and quickly turned to leave.
Inside, Chloe was still spaced out. She looked back toward the classroom, where Marvin occasionally cast a glance her way, clearly bored. Then she looked at the two other brothers who wouldn’t even bother looking at her. A wave of melancholy
washed over her.
“Where’s Merrick?”
The caretaker thought for a moment, then shook her head. “No idea. That kid probably ran off to sulk somewhere. Last time, when your birth mom took you away, he didn’t eat for days. He’ll be fine after a while.”
Chloe frowned and turned to run out.
“Chloe? Where are you going?” the caretaker called after her.
Marvin put down his phone and watched Chloe’s back with a dark expression, then stepped forward to follow her.
Chlor spotted Merrick sitting on the slide.
He was alone on the platform, quietly gazing into the distance. The sunlight bathed him in a soft, golden halo,
It Backed so rm; so lonely.
Chapter To Merrick Hates Goodbyes
She felt a wave of sadness hit her out of nowhere. “Merrick”
The soft, milky voice made Merrick flinch. He turned slightly “What are you doing here
Chloe furrowed her lows
Finished
She didn’t know why Merrick always threw a fit whenever she had to leave. In her gentle voice, she said, “I wanted to thank you. Thank you You looked so cool when you saved me earlier, you were like a hero”
Merrick’s brow twitched, growing more agitated. “Cut if off. I wish I were a hero.”
She sighed helplessly. “Don’t say had words. Or the caretaker’s gonna scold you again”
Merrick frowned and turned around. From his high perch, he looked down at her, his voice rough. “You think I’m scared of her? I’m not scared of anything nothing scares me!”
“Then why didn’t you say goodbye to me? Why do you always hide when we have to part?” Chloe asked.
Merrick froze. His expression collapsed all of a sudden. It was like something inside him crumbled and vanished from his Jeyes
“None of your business,” he muttered, turning his head. “I just don’t want to say goodbye to you.”
Chloe lowered her eyes . disappointment. She looked at Merrick but said nothing more and turned to leave.
Merrick’s breath caught in his throat as he watched her slump away, her little legs taking her back toward the orphanage
Suddenly, he slid down the slide. “Wait!”
Chloe paused and looked back at him, then Merrick wrapped his arms around her.
She froze. In her soft little voice, she asked, “Merrick?”
It was the first time Merrick had ever hugged her
He shut his eyes tight, like something was stuck in his throat, and had to force the words out. “Listen to me. Life with rich people isn’t as good as you think. They might’ve taken you away, but that doesn’t mean they’ll truly care about you. You have to take care of yourself. If anyone bullies you, you fight back the way I might you. Whatever they ask you to learn, do your best. Piano, dance, English–whatever they make you learn, do it, and do it well.”
