A Bond Beyond Blood

Crystal wandered through the lively market, her eyes casually scanning the surroundings—until something caught her attention.

A girl.

Standing alone.

Crying.

Her shoulders trembled as she tried to wipe her tears, but they wouldn’t stop.

Crystal sighed softly and walked up to her.

“Hey… what happened?”

The girl looked up, her eyes red and swollen.

“My… my step-parents… and my sister…” she choked, “They always abuse me… they hate me…” 😭

Crystal’s expression didn’t soften—but her gaze sharpened.

“Stop crying.”

The girl blinked.

Crystal crossed her arms.

“Tell me one thing—do you want to stay with them… or leave?”

“I don’t sugarcoat things.”

The girl shook her head instantly.

“No… I don’t want to stay with them…” 😢

“Then leave.”

The answer came without hesitation.

The girl froze.

“…Where will I go?”

Crystal tilted her head.

“You don’t have savings?”

The girl looked down.

“…No…”

A pause.

Then slowly, she looked up again.

“You seem like a good person…”

“Can I… stay with you?”

Crystal stared at her like she’d just heard the most ridiculous thing ever.

“Are you serious?”

“You’re asking a complete stranger if you can live with them?”

The girl sniffled.

“But… you are good…”

Crystal sighed, running a hand through her hair.

“Crazy…”

The girl clasped her hands.

“Please… agree…”

A moment of silence passed.

Then—

Crystal exhaled.

“…I’m an adult.”

“I can take responsibility.”

She looked straight at her.

“Let’s do the paperwork.”

“We can be sisters… right?”

The girl’s eyes widened.

Then she nodded quickly.

Crystal smirked faintly.

“What’s your name?”

“…Anna Brown.”

Crystal’s lips curved slightly.

“Not anymore.”

“Anna… you’re Morris now.”

(…She’s Isaac Brown’s sister. Sorry, grandfather… I’m borrowing your surname.)

Anna blinked… then gave a small nod.

“…Okay.”

After completing the paperwork, they headed to Anna’s house to collect her belongings.

The moment they stepped inside—

“What is this?!”

Anna’s aunt stormed forward, furious.

“How dare you slap your own sister?!”

Anna flinched.

“I… I didn’t slap her…”

Her aunt raised her hand—

But before it could land—

GRAB.

Crystal caught her wrist mid-air and shoved it away.

“Anna.”

Her voice turned cold.

“Go. Pack your things.”

Anna hesitated.

“But—”

“JUST GO.”

The sharp command left no room for argument.

Anna ran upstairs.

Her uncle stepped forward angrily.

“Hey! Don’t interfere in our family matters!”

Crystal slowly turned her head.

“Shut up.” ❄️

His voice died instantly.

Even the air felt colder.

Her sister scoffed.

“Don’t talk to my parents like that—”

“Silence.”

Crystal’s voice dropped dangerously low.

“I’m taking my sister.”

“And if any of you try to come near her…”

Her eyes darkened.

“You won’t like what happens next.” ❄️❄️❄️

She threw the papers onto the table.

They stared—shocked.

Her aunt lunged forward again—

But this time—

SLAP.

A sharp sound echoed across the room.

Her aunt staggered back.

“Ahhh—!”

“How dare you!” her uncle shouted.

The sister stepped forward—

“You—!”

SLAP.

SLAP.

Both of them froze in disbelief.

Crystal stepped closer.

“Don’t.”

“Even.”

“Raise your voice.” ❄️❄️❄️

Her uncle, enraged, tried to strike her—

But—

THUD.

Crystal’s punch landed hard.

He stumbled back, blood trickling from his lip.

Silence fell.

Heavy.

Terrifying.

Crystal leaned slightly forward, her voice chilling.

“Listen carefully.”

“Don’t ever show your faces to her again.”

“Don’t mess with me…”

A faint, dangerous smile appeared.

“…or next time, you won’t be this lucky.”

“I prefer… slow suffering.”

“Because I enjoy torture.” ❄️❄️❄️❄️

Fear spread across their faces instantly.

By the time Anna returned with her luggage—

They were too terrified to speak.

Back at Crystal’s house—

Anna looked around in awe.

“…This place is beautiful.”

Crystal shrugged lightly.

“Thanks. A friend designed it.”

She gestured ahead.

“Come, I’ll show you your room.”

Inside the room—

“This is yours.”

Crystal leaned against the doorframe.

“Freshen up, unpack your luggage… and come downstairs for dinner.”

Anna nodded.

“…Okay.”

Later that night—

Anna came downstairs after getting ready.

Crystal had already prepared dinner.

They sat across from each other and began eating.

After a moment, Crystal spoke casually—

“Tomorrow, we’re going to Glory College.”

Anna’s eyes widened.

“That famous college?”

“Yeah.”

Crystal smirked slightly.

“It is.”

A brief silence followed.

Then Crystal asked—

“Do you know anything about your biological parents?”

Anna’s expression fell.

“I… don’t know…” 😔

Crystal waved her hand dismissively.

“Don’t be sad.”

She pointed at herself proudly.

“You’ve got this amazing, kind, and absolutely wonderful person now.” 😌

Anna blinked.

“…Yeah, yeah.”

She rolled her eyes.

Crystal narrowed hers.

“Don’t roll your eyes.”

“Be grateful.” 😾

Anna burst into a small giggle.

“Okay, okay… I was joking.” 🤭

Crystal huffed.

“Whatever.”

“Now eat.”

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