When They Beg, I Rise!

Lemira took a cab back to the Langston mansion.

As she stepped into the foyer, she could hear Evelina's laughter, sounding blissful and carefree. However, the moment she appeared, the atmosphere shifted to a tense silence. Lemira, with a poker face, walked past the foyer, intending to head straight to her room.

Caspian's voice boomed, "Lemira, stop right there! Coming home and not even greeting your elders, is this your attitude now? So just because the school doctor has your back and even threatened to call the cops, you think you've got it all covered? Without the Langstons, you're nothing!"

Caspian grew angrier as he spoke, eventually standing up, "You think we favor Evelina, but you don't see how terribly you've treated her! Her dad saved your life, we're just paying your dues for you!"

Lemira felt utterly drained. She paused, looking towards the couch, "Lucian, Caspian, I'm home," thinking that should suffice.

Lucian spoke up, "Dinner's ready."

"You all go ahead, I'm not hungry," after saying that, Lemira turned and went upstairs.

"Lucian, look at her attitude, she's becoming more and more unruly!"

"Caspian, don't be mad, it's all my fault. Maybe

if anyone should leave, it's Lemira.

as she quickened her pace back to her

the door, taking a moment to breathe, her eyes slightly moist. She looked up at the ceiling, pushing the tears back. This time, she wouldn't cling to any false sense of sibling affection. The next day, Lemira went to

"Lemmy, are you still

doesn't it tire you?" Lemira leaned against the window, closing

but with the driver present, she put on

Ms. Langston was being too harsh, bullying Evelina like that. He decided he'd have

notes, aware she had missed a lot. Even with Evelina's sidekicks and their supporters buzzing

much to do to waste time on

in the evening, Lemira saw Alaric sitting on the

"Ari, you're back, I've missed you so much over

mood was initially sour, but it softened after Evelina's cajoling. Lemira glanced

"Lemira, Caspian mentioned you've become increasingly disobedient. I didn't believe