At the mention of Natasha, a pained look appeared in Lionel’s eyes.
Rachel held his hand. “Dad, let’s not talk about that. I don’t blame her at all.”
A dying person’s words were always kinder, after all.
Also, Natasha was just a foolish woman who wanted her beloved to stay with her.
“By the way, Dad, why haven’t I seen Regina recently?”
“I’m worried that she might disturb your rest. There’s always a bunch of people following her whenever she goes out, so it attracts attention,” said Lionel. “Ever since she was young, Regina envied others for having siblings. When she knew that she had an elder sister, she was happier than anyone else, and she even kept pestering me to bring her along. I hope you won’t hate her.”
“I don’t hate her; I just can’t accept this fact yet.”
“It’s okay, she’s been outside long enough, so it’s about time she heads back.”
“Is Regina going back?”
“Yes.”
Rachel felt a thousand emotions rushing through her mind, slightly stunned.
She couldn’t accept this sudden addition of a sister at first. There was almost nothing about Regina that resembled her, be it looks or personality. They were completely different people.
She couldn’t find common ground between them, and she didn’t feel particularly attached to Regina either. Also, their different living circumstances caused them to have different tastes in food.
However, blood relations were a peculiar phenomenon. Perhaps it really was because they were related by blood, and it was the only reason Rachel could find; they had only been together for a few days, but she already treated Regina like her own sister.
After Lionel left, Rachel’s mind was still preoccupied with thoughts. She didn’t even realize when Jolly talked to her.
“Chris.”
“Hm?” Rachel came to her senses.
Jolly waved a hand in front of her, then showed two fingers. “What’s this number?”
“Two. What’s the matter with you?”
“I thought you were suffering from some complications and lost your soul or something.” Jolly stared at her. “How come you’re so dazed after your dad left? What did he talk to you about?”
“Nothing. It’s just that Regina will be leaving soon.”
“That girl? Well, just let her leave. She’s so noisy.”
“Look who’s talking.”
Jolly immediately widened her eyes and glared at Rachel. “Are you getting tired of me? Why? You don’t want your godsister now that you have a real one? What a jerk!”
As she said that, she even put a hand to her chest and twisted her face in exaggerated pain.
“Did Leroy teach you how to do that?”
Rachel rolled her eyes at Jolly.
Jolly pouted, then turned to the topic at hand. “Even though that girl talks in an annoying way, her persistence is quite admirable.”
Rachel thought for a bit. “Jolly, can you help me out? Please help me see her off when she leaves, and give her something while you’re at it.”
Jolly didn’t answer.
Three days later, Regina left Riverdale.
Her identity was rather unique. After her mother passed away, the crown would automatically belong to her. If she hadn’t pestered Lionel about it, the man was reluctant to bring her out.
At the airport, the private plane was already waiting at the gate. Regina would be leaving through the special passageway, and she was protected by bodyguards all around her.
“Wait!”
They had only reached the airport when Regina and the others were halted by this shout.
Jolly ran over to them, but she was blocked by the ignorant bodyguards. If Regina hadn’t reacted in time, something terrible might have happened.
“She’s my friend. Let go of her.”
It was only then Jolly was allowed passage.
Still, Regina wasn’t too friendly when she looked at Jolly. “Why are you here? To laugh at me?”
“I’m not that bored. Why would I come all the way to the airport just to laugh at you?” Jolly was exhausted from all the running, and she panted as she said, “Is your leg all right now? You don’t have to use the wheelchair anymore, right?”
“I recovered a long time ago.”
“Take care when you go back. Your leg is more prone to getting hurt after injuring it once.”
“Is that all you’ve come to say?” Regina looked behind Jolly, and it seemed as though she was looking for something.
Jolly snapped her fingers, drawing Regina’s attention back to her. “What are you looking for? Do you still think your sister can come and see you off?”
“I don’t mean it like that!”
“You’re quite stubborn, aren’t you? But only around me, it seems.”
Furious, Regina still suppressed her temper as she gritted her teeth and said, “I’m leaving soon. My sister… is yours now. You win.”
Seeing that Regina was so mad that she was about to cry, Jolly finally stopped teasing her.
“Here. This is for you.”
A bunch of keys emerged from her sleeve, and a pink ribbon keychain held them together. They shivered and clattered in the air, producing a beautiful sound.
“What’s this?”
“House keys. It’s that apartment you went to before. Your sister wanted me to give you this.”
Regina was stunned in an instant. “My sister asked you to give me this?”
“Yes. Why else would I give you the keys? Let me tell you this—there are only three keys to the house. One is with your sister, another one is with me, and this one’s for you. What are you zoning out for? Do you not want it? If so, I’m going to keep it.”
“Who said I don’t want them!” Regina snatched the keys from Jolly. “My sister gave it to me, not you.”
Her angered behavior paired with her curly brown hair made her look like an angry little lion.
Jolly smiled and caressed her head. “Do drop by often. I won’t be following you further in, so goodbye.”
With that, she turned around and left.
There was a short silence behind her until it was broken by Regina’s sobbing voice. “You have to be good to my sister, or I’ll come back and take her away! By then, you will never see my sister again!”
Jolly thought it funny, but she was also deeply moved as well. Her eyes began to turn red.
Once in the car, Jolly glanced toward the passenger seat. “Your eyes are going to bulge out of the window. You’re so fond of her; are you sure you don’t want to get out and see her off?”
“If I get out, she probably wouldn’t want to leave anymore.” In the passenger seat, Rachel wiped tears from her reddened eyes. “Let’s not cause more trouble.”
Jolly sighed. “You’re still kind of lucky. Your biological father came back, and you even have a sister who loves you so much right now.”
“What? Are you jealous?”
“Pfft! Why would I be jealous? She won’t be able to see you that often, and being a noble isn’t much good either, for she has so many limitations just to leave the country. I like being me.”
Rachel laughed. “That’s self-promotion.”
Outside the car window, Regina was led inside the plane by the butler who followed her. Even from her silhouette, it was clear that she didn’t want to leave. After all, she hadn’t heard Rachel’s acknowledgment herself. However, she couldn’t stay. Everyone had their own responsibilities to fulfill, and she was no exception.
Meanwhile, in the car, Jolly started the engine and got ready to leave the airport, heading back to the hospital.
Suddenly, Rachel’s phone rang in the car.
It was a call from Gloria.
“Hello?”
As soon as it went through, Gloria’s trembling voice sounded. “Rachel, my brother is awake!”
Rachel’s hand shook, then she came to her senses after a bit. “Quick, Jolly—get back to the hospital.”
Joy bubbled within her blood. Even though she knew that Justin’s condition was getting better recently and that he would be waking up without any problems, she was still pleasantly surprised that he would wake up so soon.
He was awake; he was finally awake.
