Heard It, But Too Late

On the morning of the second day, my mom, Laura Stone, finally remembered me.

"Ralph, that's enough," she said. "I think Catherine has learned her lesson. Let her out. If she stays in there too long, she might start resenting Betty."

Ralph frowned. "Fine, just this once. As her brother, I'll teach her properly from now on."

My dad, Zach Stone, chimed in casually, "What's the big deal? Just buy her something nice to make up for it."

Betty chuckled, "Speaking of which, Ralph, you promised yesterday to take me shopping. You can't back out now."

Ralph tapped her forehead playfully. "Of course not. Let's go right now."

Laura looked at Betty fondly. "Count me in. Remember that custom necklace you liked? I ordered one for you. Today, your dad will drive and carry our bags."

Zach smiled at them and stood up. They had been talking about letting me out, but in the blink of an eye, they totally forgot about me.

They headed to the mall in high spirits while I drifted behind them. Betty shopped nonstop, buying whatever caught her eye. Ralph and Zach grinned, paying without a second thought.

Laura carefully helped adjust her clothes. They looked like the perfect, happy family.

When they passed a toy store, Ralph paused. Betty linked her arm through his, asking sweetly, "What's up? Why did you stop?"

He snapped out of it. "Nothing. Just remembered a promise to get Catherine a bunny plush."

Betty wrinkled her nose. "I knew it. You like her more than me."

She turned away, pretending to be upset. Ralph started coaxing her right away. "No way. You're the only little princess in my heart."

His phone rang, cutting him off. The nanny's anxious voice came through. "Miss Catherine Stone hasn't made a sound since yesterday. I'm worried about her."

Ralph frowned irritably. "What's there to worry about? It's just some mango juice. She is not gonna die from that."

"But there are no sounds," the nanny said. "I'm afraid she is in trouble."

Ralph grew impatient. "Ignore her. She is doing it on purpose to gain sympathy. How many times has this happened? When are you gonna learn?"

He hung up, glanced once more at the bunny plush, and walked away.

Back when I was reclaimed by the Stones, I felt dazed and out of it.

Their mansion was gorgeous and cozy. Laura had set up a comfortable bed for me, but I tossed and turned, unable to sleep. Whenever I closed my eyes, my foster father's hideous face haunted me.

Ralph found out and handed me a bunny plush. "Remember this? I gave it to you when you were little. You used to hug it to sleep every night. If you can't sleep, try holding it."

Tears filled my eyes as I clutched it.

Later, Betty cut it to shreds with scissors, and I stormed over to confront her.

She burst into tears, all innocent. "It's all my fault. But you said I stole your drawing and tore up my award certificate. That drawing was mine. I just got mad and took it out on your plush. I'm sorry."

Ralph pulled her into his arms while our parents comforted her.

I ran out crying, but Ralph caught up. "Can you stop being so unreasonable? Betty has been tolerant enough."

Seeing his darkening face, I swallowed my words and whispered, "Then, can you buy me another bunny plush?"

He softened and raised his hand as if to pat my head, but in the end, he did nothing. I thought I could act a little spoiled sometimes. Later, I learned how foolish that hope had been.

...

As Laura slipped the custom necklace around Betty's neck, Zach suggested, "Let's get one for Catherine too—to cheer her up."

Ralph frowned. "How? These are customized. We didn't order one for her."

Zach shrugged. "There's a gold shop at the entrance. Get her a gold chain."

"Sure, why not?" Ralph chuckled. "She is so money-hungry anyway. She'd love gold."

"I don't think that's a good idea," Betty chimed in hesitantly. "She is vain at school. Giving her something so expensive might make her even more materialistic."