Chapter 13 Noticing she was being watched , Stella grew even more nervous . ] She dreaded anyone finding out she was connected to this shabby , poor old woman . [ ] Fanny Miller smiled and greeted Ryan and Daniel , the two brothers . " Heh heh , hello , Stella's brothers . Since you're her brothers , that makes you my sons too . We're all family here ! " Her words made both Ryan and Daniel look visibly awkward , their faces tightening . " Don't talk nonsense , will you ? We have nothing to do with you ! What exactly are you trying to do ? " Stella snapped . ] Did this country bumpkin even know what she was saying ? Fanny gave a fawning smile . " Stella , here's the thing - your little brother is about to start school , and we don't have the money … Could you maybe help out a little ? Or … " She turned to the twins . " You dote on Stella so much , I'm sure you must love her brother too . Why don't you both chip in ? " Daniel bit back the urge to curse . Shameless . [ ] n didn't want to make a scene either . " Stella , let's go . People like her are insatiable . Don't waste your time . " [ ] Ryan Stella nodded and was about to leave , but Fanny grabbed her . ] " Stella , you can't just abandon your brother … He's your own flesh and blood . That little bitch Yvette might ignore him , but you can't ! " [ ] The moment that insult left her mouth , Ryan and Daniel's expressions both shifted slightly . Stella shoved Fanny away and said in a low voice , " I don't know you , and I know your son even less ! Don't bother me again . My parents have already given you a sum of money - don't expect anything more from me ! " Pushing Fanny aside , Stella hurried into the car as if fleeing from the plague . Fanny tried to run after her , but the car had already driven off . ] Inside the car , the atmosphere was heavy . Especially for Ryan and Daniel . [ ] With tears in her eyes , Stella whispered an apology . " Third Brother , Fourth Brother … I'm sorry … I don't even know why she showed up here … In my heart , you're my only real family … " ] The brothers ' expressions softened slightly . Their earlier displeasure wasn't just about this wom Yvette had also rubbed them the wrong way embarrassing them in such a public setting - Fanny's insult toward No matter w what , Yvette still carried the Summers name . Even if they didn't like her , she was still their biological sister . Who was Fanny to insult her ? Blood ties were still there , after all . " Good thing you never had to live in that kind of household , " Daniel said with a frown . " Having a mother like that is humiliating . Not only humiliating , but she'd also drain you dry . She's no better than those shameless relatives you see on TV . Should've cut ties long ago . " ] Ryan patted Stella's head and said firmly . " Exactly . Poor , ignorant , and spineless . No wonder Yvette turned into a gold - digger growing up in a place like that . People like that raise daughters just like themselves . " Stella said softly , " Yvette is pitiful too … Everything in the Summers family should have been hers . " [] you mean , should have been hers ? It's yours . No one can take it from you , " Daniel said coldly . [] Stella pressed her lips together and let out a soft , aggrieved hum Once the brothers looked away , a smug smile tugged at her lips . Yvette , you unwanted hillbilly , what do you have to compete with me ? But Stella didn't realize that her brothers , because of what Fanny had said about " blood relations " and that " real little brother , " now felt a subtle discomfort . For now , though , it wasn't enough to change the way they treated her . Zendale Central Hospital ] " She still has vital signs , but she's in a persistent vegetative state , the nurse said with a sigh . " At this point , the chances of her waking up are extremely slim . The doctor has already told her parents to be mentally prepared . " ] The girl lying in the hospital bed was Hannah Miller - the very one Stella had pushed down the stairs . he was the reason Yvette had taken t the fall for Stella and gone to prison for two years . [ ] To keep things from blowing up , the Summers family had paid Hannah's family a large sum in compensation . " Where are her parents ? " Yvette asked . ] " They're very busy . At first , they came often , but later … they only show up once in a long while . " [ ] The nurse left after speaking . Yvette walked to Hannah's bedside , touching her forehead , then sliding her fingers down to her philtrum , her chin , and finally over her heart . Modern medicine couldn't bring her back . ||