[TIDK] 29 – Scammed

Scarlett’s childhood home was beautiful, even when it was no longer her propriety. The praise lay in her uncle, who had taken care of it with his brother and sister-in-law’s money.

 Isaac smiled as Scarlett entered the attic, the only room out of his reach.

“It seems to have worked out.”

“How did you know?”

“I hear it in your steps.”

At his words, Scarlett smiled bashfully and sat down on the bed. 

“Yeah, it worked out. Look, did I say I was mistaken?” She chirped.

“I know.”

Isaac was more excited than expected and hurried to stand.

His body wobbled, and Scarlett quickly supported him.

Isaac smiled, his face an almost spitting image of his sister in a younger male version.

“Thank God.”

“Isaac?”

“Sorry.”

Isaac’s voice trembled in relief

“I’m sorry...”

“Why, all of a sudden.”

Scarlett panicked, urging Isaac back onto the bed.

She glanced at his face. Isaac was always smiling in front of Scarlett, pretending to be happy.

Upon a closer inspection of his cheek, Scarlett noticed a cut she had not seen before in her rush.

“Why is your face like this? Did you fall?” She asked in surprise.

“Oh, yes.”

Isaac smiled softly.

“I went outside.” He spoke.

“That’s dangerous! Were you that frustrated that you couldn’t go for a walk with me today?”

“Scarlett.”

Suddenly his voice became serious, and Scarlett stopped. 

“Now I…I have to do something to make money.” Isaac continued.

“What? No. I told you that’s dangerous. And as I said, when you regain your vision.”

“I think they scammed us.”

Scarlett’s speech was interrupted by Isaac’s sweet but cold words.

“Sorry. I don’t think any drug in the world will make my eyes see again.” Isaac spoke cautiously, stroking her hand, then lifting to feel her face and stroke her hair.

“...No, don’t say that. You will see.”

The little boy knew that Scarlett’s voice was trembling, but he couldn’t help it.

He couldn’t let his sister continue to sacrifice for himself. He didn’t want even an ounce of hopeful torture to continue to plague her. Now, he only wished that Scarlett would not get hurt. Both body and mind.

//You can feel they both genuinely care about each other! I love their relationship.

Isaac smiled brightly, his features expressing only kindness.

“I think I can do it if I work hard. Mr Bowler said, how about trying to man the boats on 7th Avenue Lake? Those, you know? Pulling the rope and moving the raft.”

Mr Bowler was a caregiver hired by Scarlett and assigned to Isaac. He was a good person and was still with Isaac three years after Scarlett married. She appreciated Mr Bowler’s favour, but it was heartbreaking for Scarlett to have her brother working.

Isaac continued, pretending to pull a rope.

“Mr Bowler even offered to assist in training me with a retired military dog. He’s a genuine man.”

“Crimsons should make watches.”

“Our legacy is on you.”

When Scarlett eventually lowered her head and started to cry, the little boy purposefully laughed loudly.

“Scarlett, I am so happy that you are my sister. I also want you to be happy because I’m your brother. Even for a moment, you know.”

Scarlett cried for a while before she hugged Isaac tightly. Then she nodded. It was still hard for her to get out of her dream.

♔♔♔

The following day, Scarlett woke up early to return home. She wanted to return before she had the chance to encounter the rest of her uncle’s family. Initially, whenever Scarlett came over, Isaac would force her to sleep in the bed, and he would sleep on the floor. 

Scarlett would outright refuse, but now Isaac seemed healthy and able enough, so she slept in the bed without his fuss. 

She poked Isaac to make sure he was asleep and put some medicine on his eyes.

“Sorry, I can’t give up.”

Stating so, she gently swept Isaac’s hair and raised herself. After adorning her bonnet, she left the house and took the tram to the Clock Room.

Seventh Avenue was close to the Crimsons. It was a place Scarlett pondered deeply over choosing because she could not live far away from Isaac.

Her watch had an alarm function, which rang at five in the morning with the sound of clear glass belting. Immediately after she entered, her alarm rang.

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