Chapter 7
Imunediately; Ray walked toward Regina and raised his hand. I’m Roy Morton,
Regima looked up at his chiseled features.
Besides him, the other teenagers were good–looking, too.
She had never seen anyone more handsome than them
Shaking his hand, she responded politely. Tm Regina Mitchell
Roy glanced at her deeply. Til see you at school. Come to me if there’s anything you don’t understand.”
Melinda aside was stunned, thinking. I grew up with Roy. But he has never offered me that!
Regina nodded and turned to look at another teenager walking toward her; he had blonde hair.
He frowned, looking unhappy. Im Preston Yates”
She shook his hund
In the nest second, he pulled her into his arms!
Stunned, she felt him pinching her checks.
He pinched her cheeks and looked at her carefully, his pretty face full of wonder. “A ten! You’re so badass.”
Roy felt speechless and grabbed Preston aside. “Be normal.”
The other teenagers were about to come up while being pushed away by Brad.
Tin Brad Mitchell Brad raised his hand while looking at Regina, saying viciously. “Tm your second brother.
Deadpan. Regina shook his hand. “I don’t have any brothers”
His eyes narrowed, a nasty spark flashing. “Good. Keep it that way.”
Clive walked up to her and said unhurriedly. I’m Clive Mitchell. We’ll be in the same school.
Regina glanced at his hands, which were in his pockets, realizing he didn’t want to shake hands with her.
She responded coldly, “Alright”
He smirked, all smug “Ol we’ll get to know each other plenty.”
stur shot back a fake smile, “Can’t wait
Then he walked away with a livad Lace
Melinda came up, houding Regina’s hand “Begini, are you si
sure you won’t come home with us?”
Here
were practically dancing, but she fought off a snirk. “If you don’t, Dad, Mom, Clive, and Braill worry. I’ll even step aside–give you your
mean. I got the life
that was supposed to be yours. Mom and Dad can’t wait to have you home”
pulled her land back
Regina’s face sank as she j
Seeing this, Hugh was furious “Regina Melinda is your sister. How could you be so rude? Is that what your foster parents taught you?”
Regina flicked him a cold look, ready to snap back, but Scarlen cut in “Hugh, you even know how she grew up! Monsters raised her–expecting
manners from that!”
Stunned, he looked at her angrily. They might be monsters, but not her!”
Scarlet snorted. “Oh yeah! Where were you when she was getting cigarette burns? You’re her dad–when’d you ever act like it
Hugh was too furious to speak
Chapter 7
Melhwhile. Regua looked at scarlen, feeling surprised
Scarlett stepped apoposed, planting herself in front of Regna. “She’s been nothing but polite to un–total strangers—and you call that rule! You’re
Huch blinked, thrown. “Me, biased? She’s the one dissing Melinda‘ Shook everyone’s hand but hers?”
Scarlett laughed, loud. “So what? Melinda’s the one who should’ve been burned and beat up–she stole Regina’s life! Big deal if Regina didn’t wanna
Melinda irared up “Scarlett, how can you say that?“
Hugh protected Melinda behind him. Watch your mouth. Scarlett! What’s that supposed to mean? Why should Melinda be abused? She did nothing wrong“”
Scarlets voice shot up. “And what’d Regina do Her humanity’s tanked because she was tortured–she had to shut herself off to survive. If she hadn’t she’d be dead in a gutter by now!
Regina went pale, shaking hard.
Scarlett noticed and pulled her into a hug. “Hey, it’s okay. That’s all behind you I won’t bring it up again.
Being treated like this. Regina was a little overwhelmed.
Scarlett’s eyes got misty as she rubbed Regina’s cold arms. “You’re my kid now. Nobody’s messing with you anymore
She glared at Hugh “Say one more shitty thing about her, and you’re dealing with me. Try it”
Hugh froze
Irene aside, her face stained with sears, wanted to say something.
Irene, tears streaking her face, tried to speak, but Scarlett shut her down. “Irene, zip it. You’re too weak. Even if she went with you, she’d never get that casy life She’d hurt, and you couldn’t stop it”
Unconvinced, Irene retorted, “And you can!
“Hell yeah, Scarlett sak, chest out. “She’s my daughter now–my only one. She’s not suffering. Shell have it all, even stuff the rest don’t get. She’s a Sherman like me, and Im setting her up to take over
stunned. Regina looked at Scarlett, thinking. Ever since I was little, I’ve never had anyone to protect me except Lily. Is this what it’s like to be protected?
She touched her chest, blank.
A woman’s to
woman’s voice broke in “Sorry to cut in”
Everyone turned. The doctor walked up to Regina, sheepish. “We forgot the humanity take Can you take it off?”
Stunned, Regina said, “Sorry I forgot
Then she walked to another room to fear off the tape.
The doctor looked at Scarlett. “Her Humanity just increased;
Everyone froze, even Scarlett
She gaped. “Wait, it can go up?”
The doctor blinked. “Yeah. When you u defended her, her Humanity rose from one to ten
Scarlett lit up.
p, then paused. “Never heard of that happening”
“Depends,” the doctor said quietly. “Most people’s Humanity drops ‘cause they’ve modded their bodies too much–mechanics kill it, so it barely budges.
“But she doesn’t have any cyberware The reason why she has a low Humanity is dat she grew up in a rough family.
“Do you know what this means?”
2/3
10AM C
Chapter 7
The doctor’s eyes
glowed with hope.
Then she went on. “She’s not bad. She could turn out great with the right push. Treat her good, and her humanity might hit seventy–or higher.”
Chapter: h
