When the Flame of Love Fades (Sierra) novel Chapter 4

Chapter 4 Taking What’s Hers

Even Bradley couldn’t help but frown when he heard the amount–three million dollars.

Denise spoke up in a soft voice. “I just thought Sierra might be struggling financially, so I..”

Bradley’s heart softened. His little sister was just too kind.

Three million? So what? If it would make Denise happy, he’d pay

He went upstairs, grabbed his checkbook, wrote out a check, and tossed it in front of Sierra.

“Here.”

His gaze was full of disdain, as if he were tossing spare change at a beggar.

Finished

Sierra lowered her eyes, staring at the check on the floor. Then, she looked up at Bradley, her expression devoid of warmth.

“Mr. Xander, don’t act like you’re doing me a favor. This is what I’m owed. You pay employees for their work, don’t you? When you need something done, you pay for it. I sat in prison for your precious little sister for three years. Taking three million from you–isn’t that fair?”

“You” Bradley was furious.

He grabbed Sierra by the arm, his grip tight.

Her long–sleeved shirt was yanked askew, slipping down her shoulder.

-Bradley had been about to lash out again, but the moment his eyes landed on her exposed shoulder, he

froze.

A large, jagged scar covered her pale skin.

“What happened to you?”

Sierra followed his gaze, glancing at the scar before calmly pulling her sleeve back up.

“You saw it yourself,” she said coolly. “I got hurt.”

“How?” Bradley’s frown deepened. How had he not known about this?

Sierra let out a mocking laugh.

“Mr. Xander, what do you think prison is like?”

The way she addressed him as “Mr. Xander” made Bradley’s temper flare again.

But when he met her cold, mocking gaze, his anger died in his throat.

Feeling strangely guilty, he averted his eyes and muttered, “I made sure everything was taken care of. I was told you were doing fine in there.”

Sierra chuckled, the sound devoid of warmth.

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Chapter 4 Taking What’s Hers

faces.

Bradley wanted to be angry, but the sight of her injuries made him hesitate.

He had spent a fortune to “take care of things” in prison. How could she have still been hurt?

And now that he thought about it, her voice had changed too,

It wasn’t as clear and bright as before–it was rougher, hoarser.

What exactly had happened to her in there?

The next morning, Sierra was already waiting in the living room.

She had slept well for the first time in a long while.

At least here, she didn’t have to constantly keep her guard up.

Evan was the first to come downstairs.

He barely spared her a glance.

It had always been like this.

Finished

Among the three Xander brothers, Bradley would at least talk to her occasionally. Sean would acknowledge her when he was in a good mood, treating her attention like a reward.

But Evan?

Evan had always been distant, cold, reserved–except when it came to Denise.

Ironically, Sierra had only discovered her talent for biochemistry because of Evan.

Back then, she had wanted to get closer to him.

So she studied relentlessly, hoping to find common ground.

But once she discovered biochemistry, she realized she truly loved it. She had an undeniable gift for it.

Too bad she never got the chance to tell him.

She had been thrown in prison before she could.

Now? She didn’t care anymore.

They sat in silence, each minding their own business.

Evan stole a few glances at her.

She was staring at her phone, completely ignoring him.

She used to follow him around, hanging on his every word, watching him intently even when he was

indifferent.

Now, she was acting like he didn’t exist.

Chapter 4 Taking What’s Hers

It felt… odd.

But this was fine.

He had never been fond of talking to idiots anyway.

Soon. Eleanor and

Denise came downstairs.

Finished

Eleanor sighed when she saw her two children sitting on opposite ends of the couch, completely disconnected.

Denise, on the other hand, subtly smirked.

“Evan!” she chirped, hurrying over to loop her arm through his. “Have you been waiting long?”

“Not really. Let’s eat. After breakfast, I’ll drive you to school,” Evan said, patting her head.

“Okay!” Denise beamed, then turned to Sierra as if just noticing her.

“Sierra, are you ready? Let’s eat.”

“I already ate,” Sierra said without looking up.

She had woken up early and made herself a bowl of noodles–specifically to avoid having breakfast with them.

Once she was back at school, she wouldn’t have to see them every day anymore.

Seeing her still wearing the same clothes from yesterday, Eleanor quickly spoke up.

“I had some clothes bought for you last night–your size this time. Try them on and see if they fit.”

Simple designs. T–shirts, pants.

Probably something a servant had grabbed at random.

But for once, it was actually her style..

“Thank you. Madam Eleanor.” Sierra accepted them, went upstairs to change, and came back down.

She had always been tall and slender, but now, in simple, clean–cut clothes, she looked sharper, more striking.

Her long hair was gone, replaced by a short, neat cut.

Eleanor had been about to compliment her, but then she saw the long scar running down her right arm..

She gasped. “Your arm…”

Sierra glanced at it, then chuckled lightly.

“It’s nothing. Just a small accident.”

If she had complained, Eleanor might not have felt much.

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Chapter 4 Taking What’s Hers

It unsettled her.

Made her feel strangely guilty.

Eleanor wasn’t stupid.

She knew that wasn’t just some small cut.

And thinking back to the scars on Sierra’s wrist….“

“She didn’t have an easy time in there, did she? You said you took care of everything–so what happened?”

Bradley’s expression darkened.

“I’ll have someone look into it.”

“Good. You should. She’s still your sister. We don’t want people thinking we mistreated her.”