Chapter 9 Our homeroom teacher Mr. Sterling waited with me at the hospital for almost five hours before Dad finally showed up with Quinn . [ ] Mr. Sterling and Dad were classmates , so he'd heard some things about my family situation . [ ] " Lincoln , I'm not trying to lecture you , but you can't abuse your own child just because you've got a new woman . " [ ] " You know what the doctor just told me ? He said the child fainted from hunger . You're not even feeding your kid ! " ] ] " If you're really too poor to raise a child , I can talk to our classmates and we'll all chip in to help you through tough times . " Dad's face turned red as Mr. Sterling scolded him . [ ] This guy had always overshadowed him in school , and now that they'd finally graduated and entered society , his own daughter ended up in Sterling's class . It made Dad feel inferior whenever he saw Mr. Sterling . I lay in the hospital bed , and when I heard enough , I weakly defended Dad : " Mr. Sterling , don't blame my dad . I forgot to ask him for spending money . It's my fault . " [ ] Dad looked at me gratefully , and I sneered inwardly . He climbed right up the ladder I'd given him : " I've been neglecting the child . I promise you , this will never happen again . " [ ] Hearing my explanation , Mr. Sterling's stern expression softened , and he said something heartfelt to Dad : " Lincoln , Sienna's your only child . When she succeeds , it reflects well on you too . " " When you're old , you'll be able to enjoy your children's success . " Dad was moved and agreed repeatedly . [ ] Quinn was smart this time too - she didn't make a scene outside and embarrass Dad . [ ] I gestured to Charlotte and Dante , who were hiding outside the hospital room observing , indicating the mission was complete and they could go home . This time when I " fainted " in Mr. Sterling's class , as my desk partner , Charlotte had timely informed the worried teacher that I hadn't eaten all day when he rushed me to the hospital . [ ] Dante didn't have a speaking role - just a friendly cameo accompanying Charlotte . [ ] Given Mr. Sterling's intelligence and lus knowledge of Dad , he could naturally guess what kind of dire straits I was living in at home . [ ] I was also giving Mr. Sterling an excuse to stand up for me .[ ] 1 figured after this . Dad would never withhold any spending money again Chapter 9 Sure enough , when we got home Dad gave me five hundred dollars , telling me to " spend it carefully . " [ ] Even though Quinn's displeasure was written all over her face , Dad pretended not to see it . ] ] For the first time , I had defeated Quinn in Dad's house . [ ] My peaceful life lasted less than half a month before it was shattered by the sound of Quinn throwing up . Quinn was pregnant . ]]