A Successful Career After Divorce

“Ranita, that blue velvet dress I had someone send to you, how come I didn’t know it was a fake?”

“Who is Mrs. Sutton? And who is Shannon? Why are so many people saying you wore fakes? You’re my sister, how could you do something like this?”

“And what about Brendon? Isn’t he supposed to be managing this? You’re his employee!”

Jedidiah was usually mild-mannered and never spoke harshly, but today he sounded like a firecracker had gone off. He was clearly upset.

Ranita tried to calm him down. “Brother, it’s just a small matter. I don’t want to trouble you with it. Mr. Stuart has been good to me and has been helping me out. He even contacted Louis Wang for me.”

“I’m really okay, brother,” Ranita reassured him.

Jedidiah fell silent.

“Would you come back home to Steland?” Jedidiah asked her pleadingly. “We raised you all these years and we don’t want you suffering like this! You don’t need to work for Stuart’s Corp.”

He continued passionately, “Come back and be my sister again! I’ll convince Chole!”

Ranita felt conflicted inside.

She had lived at Bowman’s Mansion for over ten years with the Bowmans being the happiest time of her life thus far; however, she knew she couldn’t go back there anymore.

“I think I’m doing well where I am now,” Ranita said gently but firmly as she smiled softly at him, “And as I’ve told you before, I plan on studying abroad soon.” She added with a chuckle, “No matter where in the world I am though brother, I’ll always be your sister.”

“Forever,” Jedidiah agreed quietly.

But then Ranita sensed that he wasn’t convinced yet so she continued speaking, “The online incident is already behind us now. Please don’t worry about it anymore.” She spoke softly in her sweet voice which sounded as soft as summer ice cream.

“Okay then,” Jedidiah relented finally after hearing his sister’s soothing words of comfort. “Let’s forget about this incident then, but if anything else happens next time, you must tell me right away! Don’t forget that we’re your family and we’ll always stand by your side!”

“I showed Mom and Dad some pictures of yours when I came home last night,” Jedidiah continued changing topics abruptly perhaps trying not let their conversation end on an awkward note, “They said that you’ve lost weight lately so please eat more food.”

Ranita felt touched by the Bowmans’ concern towards her wellbeing.

She struggled hard not cry while replying weakly, “Yes…yes…I will eat more…”

Afterwards, Ranita felt heavy-hearted. She took a nap around noon, but found herself dreaming aimlessly without any clear direction or purpose throughout most of it.

Without Brendon this time, Ranita was at Bowman’s Mansion with her parents and her favorite brother. It wasn’t until the butler brought Chole Bowman back that she realized something was wrong.

Buzzing noises woke Ranita up, drenched in sweat. She stumbled out of bed and grabbed her phone.

“Hello…” she mumbled groggily into the phone.

“It’s me!” Brendon’s voice came through the other end.

Ranita perked up a bit and rubbed her eyes, asking hoarsely, “What’s going on?”This text is property of Nô/velD/rama.Org.

“I just got off a plane. I need you to bring some files to Swansea Bay for me,” he said briskly.

Ranita didn’t hesitate when it came to work. “Sure thing. Just send me the address.”

Her throat felt dry and scratchy as she spoke.

“Are you feeling okay?” Brendon asked with concern in his voice.

“I’m fine… just took a nap earlier,” Ranita replied dismissively before adding bitterly, “It’s not like you care anyway.”

Brendon sighed heavily on the other end of the line before apologizing again, “I’m sorry.”

Ranita didn’t want to hear those words anymore. They always seemed to hurt more than help.

“Don’t apologize to me… Miss Murphy is more important than I am anyway,” she said coldly with a tight-lipped smile.