Chapter 14
Rosalie’s response made Dominik and Karen freeze, rendered speechless.
Granting Rosalie the status of an adopted daughter had been their unilateral decision, with orders to keep it secret.
She’d obediently agreed back then, leading them to believe she understood the “complicated” choices of their condition. Now, though, that very secret had become a weapon they couldn’t parry.
Under the table, Phoebe’s fist clenched tightly. She placed her right hand on Karen’s, voice soothing, “Dad, Mom, please don’t fret. Rosalie just moved here, so she needs time to adjust. Perhaps we can postpone the surname change until she’s more settled?”
Dominik’s expression softened at her words. He shot Rosalie a glare and grunted in agreement.
The issue was tabled, for now.
Embarrassed by Rosalie’s refusal, Dominik stormed off to his company after lunch.
adopted status, she forfeited all right to accuse Rosalie.
Karen, meanwhile, stewed in frustration. By reducing their own flesh and blood to an
Over the next few days, Karen deliberately gave Rosalie the cold shoulder, expecting her to cave first.
She wanted Rosalie to realize that in Webston, in this family, Rosalie was nothing without their
support.
But Karen’s plan backfired. A full week passed, and while Karen maintained her distance, Rosalie was even colder. Rosalie only appeared at mealtimes, vanishing entirely otherwise.
Frustrated, Karen eventually gave up.
In the blink of an eye, it was the last week of August.
Hodgeson High’s 12th grade started a week earlier than other grades.
On Monday morning came Rosalie’s registration day, with Karen sending the girls to school.
Throughout the drive, Tianna kept twisting in her seat to peer at Rosalie.
“Hey, Rosalie, Hodgeson High uses Savenese for all classes except grammar. Did you ever learn Savenese in the countryside? Can you even recite the alphabet?” Tianna asked, her tone cutting.
She’d spent the past few days digging into Rosalie’s background.
It was said Rosalie had never gone to any school, rarely left the village, and only learned basic reading and counting from her poor grandmother.
Tianna thought, ‘What lessons could a country woman offer? Perhaps some everyday vocabulary and simple sums, sufficient for peasant life.
Rosalie leaned against the window, face blank, as if she hadn’t heard a word.
Snubbed, Tianna turned to Karen in the front seat, teeth clenched.
“Karen, it’s not that I’m looking down on her. But let’s be real, our school finishes all high school curricula by the 10th grade. Now we’re in review mode, focusing on advanced topics. Teachers don’t reteach basics.
“Even students from other schools in Webston struggle to keep up, let alone someone from a tiny town. Putting her in 12th grade with us… she’ll just embarrass herself.”
Tianna thought with a sneer, ‘Hmph, sharing a grade with this bitch? Impossible. She should be sent back to Middle School, no, Elementary School. Let’s see if her ‘education‘ can survive real classes.
Karen’s brow twitched as she turned to eye Rosalie, who sat motionless, seemingly asleep.
She whispered to Phoebe, “You’ve finished High School courses?”
Phoebe nodded softly.
Then Karen’s worry deepened. Noticing Karen’s hesitation, Tianna grew giddy, eager to witness Rosalie’s fate once they reached Hodgeson High.
1/1
