"You can forget it. Who's going to look after Mom and Dad if you don't go back home?" Zora barked with a fury that seemed to make her voice louder.
Her outburst startled me, and Jaylan shot her a cold glance.
Visibly taken aback, Zora clamped her mouth shut and lowered her gaze. She picked up a ladle and began serving soup to everyone.
I quickly tried to defuse the situation, "Zora, don't scare her. Let's eat, and we can talk about it later."
Clara, looking like she was on the verge of tears, kept glancing at Zora and occasionally at Jaylan who sat at the head of the table.
I watched the scene in front of me with silent disdain.
"Zora, is Clara your only sister? And who else is back home? I've been oblivious about it," I asked, turning to Zora who was about to feed Carl.
"I only have my parents and Clara back home. I thought having someone at home to look after them would be good since I'm working out here and they're getting old." She spoke as if she were the embodiment of filial piety.
But in all the years she had been with us, I never saw her go back home, not even for the holidays. Despite my many offers to let her go home, she always refused.
"It seems I've been negligent. I should've asked more about your family," I said with a hint of self-reproach.
"No worries, ma'am," Zora replied nonchalantly, while feeding Carl and casting a sidelong glance at Clara. "Coming to Goldenvale isn't easy. You need work harder here!"
"But sis…"
"Let's eat!" Zora cut Clara off before she could finish her sentence.
Clara ate her meal cautiously, barely making a sound, yet she managed to eat quite a lot.
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