He Gave Me Brother’s Life To Her Dog Chapter 03
Her tears fell onto the back of her hand. A shard cut her finger, and blood welled up.
Dad pulled her up and cleaned the mess himself. He didn’t say a word.
Derek didn’t show up until after dark. He came with a bag of
vitamins and a fruit basket, as if a visit and apology could
make everything right like before.
“Mr. Sterling. Mrs. Sterling.”
Dad blocked the door and didn’t let him in.
For the first time, unease flickered in Derek’s eyes.
Mr. Sterling. I know I’ve disappointed you.”
“But Luna is family to Lauren. I didn’t have any other choice.”
Dad asked him, “Isn’t Grant your family?”
Derek froze. “I…”
He gave his life to save you.”
Dad’s voice was quiet, but every word hit Derek like a blow.
“My son already made it out. He went back into that car to save you.
“You say you owe Lauren. What do you owe Grant?*
Derek’s lips went pale. “Mr. Sterling. I’ll make it up to you.”
Dad let out a short laugh. “Make it up to us?”
“With what?”
“Can you give me another son? Can you bring Grant out of that grave?”
Derek had no answer.
Dad shut the door. “From today on, you don’t get to call us Mr. and Mrs. Sterling.”
Derek stood outside for half an hour. He called me more than a dozen times.
didn’t answer any of them. Finally, he sent a text.
Maren, I understand you’re hurting. But don’t destroy
everything we’ve had for over a decade because of one impulsive decision.]
I stared at it for a long time. It only felt absurd,
He lost both parents as a child and had no family to take care of him.
My family willingly paid for his tuition and living expenses.
He usually lived at school, but he came to our house for meals during breaks.
Grant knew he was proud and never handed him money directly.
Before each semester, Grant would ask him to organize some
papers, then tuck an envelope with tuition money underneath the files.
After Derek graduated, Grant brought him into the company
From entry–level project assistant to executive vice president, Grant had guided every step.
The condo was in my name. The car he drove belonged to the company.
His corporate card, driver, and assistant were all paid by Sterling Holdings.
After Grant died, there had been rumors that Derek would
become the future head of Sterling Holdings.
He never corrected them. But the truth was, he didn’t own a single share.
After Grant’s death, Dad’s health declined, so he temporarily
handed some management authority to Derek.
That authorization could be revoked at any time.
The next morning, I met with company attorneys and the board secretary,
Dad asked, “Are you sure?”
“I’m sure.”
“I won’t go after the tuition and living expenses we gave him.
We gave those willingly.”
“The salary and bonuses he earned at the company are his.”
“But everything that belongs to the Sterling family, I’m taking back.”