Rise of the returned sister (by Isla) novel Chapter 2

Chapter 2

The truth is. Nena was the real daughter of Lindsey and the one who’d snatched Janie’s life away. Because of that, Xena got to live the dream–pampered and spoiled like a princess in the Jenkins‘ house, while Janie had to struggle and suffer with Lindsey.

The room was dead quiet. No one wanted to bring up Xena leaving, but Janie’s blunt question threw everyone off–they didn’t expect her to come out with it so straight.

Zion was the first to snap. He shot Janie a dlh ty look, his voice full of venom. “Oh, I knew it! You showed up just to boot Xena, didn’t you? Well, let me spell it out for you—it ain’t happening. She’s our princess, and she’s staying. Don’t like it? Too bad, Deal with it.”

The others? Dead silent. But their faces? Screaming, “Yeah, what he said.”

The Jenkins family was all about their “love and harmony” act. Xena, their once–only girl, had been treated like royalty. And even now, knowing she was the child of the woman who’d taken their real daughter? They just couldn’t let her go.

Janie didn’t say a word. She was done. Not even a flicker of anything in her chest at this point.

But then, out of nowhere, Xena came rushing in, sobbing like it was the end of the world. Her face was streaked with tears. eyes all puffy.

“I’m sorry!” she bawled. I know you hate me, but I can’t leave Dad, Mom, or my brothers. If you wanna yell at me, hit me, whatever–just do it. Il do anything to stay, even if it means being a maid or cleaning the place. I just wanna be with them.”

Everyone melted right there and then. Everyone, except Janie.

Zion was the first to snap–again. He rushed over to Xena, all panicked. “Xena, shut it! What are you even saying? This is your home. You’re not going anywhere.”

Ryan looked like he’d just sucked on a sour lemon. “Being a maid or cleaning the place? Are you nuts? Stop with that

nonsense.

Xena cried even harder. “But it’s true… I’m not meant to be here, not from the start…

Kathy was a mess. “What are you talking about?” She reached for Xena like her heart was breaking. “This is exactly where you’re meant to be.”

Xena just bit her lip, staring straight at Janie, all stubborn and teary–eyed.

The whole room followed her gaze. Now everyone was looking at Janie, waiting for her to say something, like this was her call to make.

But Janie knew exactly where she stood–even if she told Xena to hit the road, the others wouldn’t let it slide. Janie knew she wasn’t the big deal here.

No, not a chance. Janie knew that she wasn’t that big of a deal here..

Janie, Xena’s part of our family, too.” Frank finally cleared his throat, trying to smooth things over. “I really hope you two can get along.”

Kathy paused for a beat, then jumped right in, her voice shaky but determined. “Lindsey Carter’s a total waste of space–we can’t let Xena be stuck with someone like her. Janie, from now on, you and Xena are both my daughters, got it?”

Hearing that, Zion perked up immediately. “Exactly!” He chimed, “Xena’s been our precious her whole life–there’s no way she’d make it in some dump. And don’t even get me started on that Carter. Swapping a kid? She’s trash. Xena doesn’t deserve to be stuck with someone like her.

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Chapter 2

Kathy shot him a look that shut him down, Zion stopped mid–sentence, but he clearly wasn’t done yet.

“Janie, if you really don’t want me here, I’ll leave; Xena said, wiping her tears away. Her voice was shaky but calm. “But I’m not going back to Lindsey. Like Zion said, what she did… it’s messed up I can’t deal with living with her. Just take care of Mom and Dad. I’m begging you

Zion snapped. “What kind of crap is that? You’re not going anywhere, Xena. No one’s kirking you out.”

He shot Janie a sharp look. Janie just smirked, icy and pissed. She was over it. This place wasn’t home, and it never would be

Just to be clear, Xena, Janie said, “Are you really going to take off just because I told you to?”

Xena’s face went ghost white, like she’d just been hit with a ton of bricks. Everyone else looked just as shook–It was pretty clear they were all wary of Janie.

“I understand…I’ll leave right now… Xena stammered, barely able to stand, but Kathy and Zion yanked her back down.

“Where are you going?” cried Kathy, and Zion’s voice broke in. “Janie, what the hell are you trying to pull?”

Janie didn’t answer but laugh at Zion’s question. She turned towards Xena and asked, “Seems like you don’t actually want to leave, huh? So what’s all this drama for?”

Xena murmured as she shrinked back. “No, I wasn’t…”

“Janie, Xena, Kathy almost begged, “That’s enough…

Janie leaned back, her voice even but sharp. “Alright, you don’t have to overreact. I was just saying what anyone would. I get it–you’re all close, and it’s not my place to decide who stays or goes. You can go right on pretending everything’s fine.”

Although her words hit a nerve, the family still collectively let out a breath, relieved she wasn’t pushing harder. But then, Janie turned her gaze to Xena.

“You might think you can trash–talk Lindsey all you want, but here’s the deal–you don’t get to.” She continued, voice sharp. “You’ve been living the good life because of what she did. You’re tied to her, whether you like it or not.”

Xena’s face drained of color, her lips pressing into a tight line. She got it–Janie wasn’t here to play nice.

Janie couldn’t care less about their reactions. “So, are we all good now?” she asked, switching gears. “By the way, where’s my

room?”

Janie’s bedroom was massive–its own little suite with a private bathroom and walk–in closet. Everything was in soft, neutral colors, stylish but not over the top.

After locking the door, Janie collapsed onto the sofa. She sat there for a moment, completely still and quiet. Then, she held out her hand, and a flicker of golden light sparked to life.

She closed her eyes, focusing intently, feeling everything around her…And then, when she opened her eyes again, she was somewhere entirely different.

She’d first stumbled into this strange world right after her SAT exam. She’d been on her laptop, minding her business, when a weird pop–up appeared. Against all logic, she clicked it.

Next thing she knew, she was here–in a sprawling, endless space that seemed to go on forever. It was straight out of a game. full of randoms who seemed to know how to do just about anything–warriors, healers, mages…as many as one can name it, not to even mention endless books and scrolls, packed with knowledge just waiting her to absorb.

Janie had her “What the hell is going on?” moment. But she wasn’t dumb. She figured out pretty quick she’d hit the cosmic

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Jackpo

So the dog in diving headfirst into learning everything she could. If it’s meant to be, the ought to make the most of it–And the eme deal this time, the got no time to waste

the spent her time in this mysterious world until lunchtime rolled around. When she finally stepped out of her room. everyone else was already at the table.

“Ered who finally decided to join us,” sneered Zion, “You think the world revolves around you or something?”

Don’t be an rude, Zion Kathy waved Janie over with a warm smile and said, Come sit by me, sweetheart.”

Janie didn’t bother arguing. She slid into the seat next to her, and Kathy immediately started piling food in front of her

“Ldon’t know your favorites yet” She said. “Tell me later, so I can make something special for you next time.

Tm fine with anything Janie answered flatly. She wasn’t used to being doted on, and honestly, it felt a little too late for that

“You must’ve had such a hard time living with that awful Carter. Kathy sniffled, dabbing at her eyes. “If it weren’t for circumstances, I’d have made sure she ended up in prison!”

Needless to say, the “circumstances were Xena. Because of her, Lindsey got away with everything. Hearing the conversation, Xena stayed quiet, pale as a sheet.

Zion, on the other hand, looked like he was gearing up to fire off another insult, but one glare from Ethan shut him down. He resorted to glaring daggers at Janie instead.

Janie smirked to herself. What a coward. But if they thought she was easy to push around, they were dead wrong.

“Speaking of which, we’ll throw a big party soon to announce your identity, Janie.” Kathy tiptoed around the topic, “Let everyone know you’re our real daughter! What do you say?”

Before Janie could reply, Zion had already slammed his bowl down so hard the table rattled.

But no one acknowledged his little tantrum. Looking around for backup before continuing, Kathy hesitated, “What if we told everyone you, Xena, and Zion are triplets? Would that work for you?”

Janie stopped mid–bite, her gaze cool as she looked up. Kathy, squirmed under the weight of Janie’s stare, eventually dropping her eyes to her lap, failed to say another word.

She knew she was asking too much. How could she cut Xena out after loving her like a daughter for eighteen years? Both girls were her daughters in her mind–one by birth, one by bond, but it was obvious who her heart favored.

The silence finally got to Frank. “Janie, you have to get it,” he said, “If Xena’s real story gets out, it’s going to wreck her life.” He pleaded, “What kind of future does she even have? Can’t you both just stick around and be our daughters, like, together?”

Janie still didn’t speak up, and it seemed to push Zion over the edge. “What’s your deal?” He went off, “You want Xena out

that bad? Dream on!”

“Zion!” Kathy glared at him, then she turned back to Janie, her voice soft and almost begging. “Dear, it’s all my fault you were taken away. Blame me if you have to, but don’t take it out on Xena. She’s just as innocent as you are…”

“No, it’s on me.” Frank sighed, “I should’ve paid more attention back then.”

“If anyone’s to blame, it’s me.” Ethan added.

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Chapter 2

Xena chimed in, her voice barely a whisper “No it’s my fault

Janie looked at all of them, watching them toss around guilt like it was a game of hot potato. Honestly, it was pathetic Who else was there to blame except Lindsey!

“So, what’s the deal?” she grinned. “You guys going to hold a little debate to see who messed up the most?”

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