Chapter 96

Chapter 96:

“What?” Erika’s voice cracked, edged with disbelief. “Fernanda, what is the meaning of this? Are you seriously planning to make my brother march to Central Square and shout ‘I’m a loser p>

“Exactly,” Fernanda replied, her tone calm as she blinked nonchalantly. “A bet is a bet p>

Erika threw up her hands in frustration, cutting off the conversation. “Enough of this nonsense! He’s just a kid, Fernanda, while you’re much older. Why subject him to public humiliation over a silly game? Does it really matter who wins or loses? What do you gain from this p>

Fernanda watched Erika’s outburst, a smirk slowly forming. She couldn’t help but be amused. The scene was almost touching—a sister so fiercely protective. Erika’s anxiety made it clear just how much Kevin mattered to her.

“Come on, what’s the fuss? He was the one who made the bet with me, not you,” Fernanda teased, raising an eyebrow. “Does this mean the bet no longer counts? What would you have done if I had lost p>

Erika remained silent.

“If I had lost, you two would have tossed my belongings out the door without a second thought,” Fernanda continued, her words cool and deliberate. “But suddenly, fairness doesn’t suit you? Now you can’t handle the consequences of your own wager? That’s nothing short of hypocritical. Small-minded, even. I find that so humiliating p>

Her voice stayed steady, yet her words struck Kevin like a blow. Hypocritical. Small-minded. Humiliating. Was she talking about him? How could he let those words define him?

Kevin’s pride twisted painfully under Fernanda’s gaze. Her mocking, disdainful smirk was almost unbearable.

Just as Erika scrambled for another argument, Kevin shot to his feet, his voice cracking. “Fine, I’ll do it! I never said I wouldn’t. Stop mocking me p>

Your next favorite is on gⱯlnσν𝓮𝓁s．𝒸o𝗺

“Then prove it,” Fernanda replied, unflinching. “What’s holding you back p>

Kevin clenched his jaw, fury burning in his eyes. He jabbed a finger in Fernanda’s direction, then stormed out, slamming the door so hard it rattled the walls.

Erika shot Fernanda a glare sharp enough to cut glass before hurrying after her brother. Fernanda stayed seated, a soft chuckle escaping her lips, entirely unfazed by the scene.

Ector, who had watched from the corner, sighed. “Fernanda p>

“Are you about to plead for him too?” she asked, tilting her head at him.

“No,” Ector said, shaking his head. “I just… worry about your relationship with Kevin. He’s proud, and after today, he might hold a grudge against you p>

Fernanda’s lips curled into a sly smile. “Do you think his grudge started today? No, Ector, that’s been simmering long before he came back. Sparing him now wouldn’t make it disappear. If I let him off the hook, what would change? Nothing p>

His resentment wouldn’t vanish, so there was no point wasting her energy. She wasn’t the type to be lenient. A deal was a deal.

Ector fell silent, knowing she was right.

“So instead of dwelling on things you can’t change, why not enjoy the show?” Fernanda added, leaning on her crutch as she stood and headed for the door.

Ector sighed again but followed, steadying Fernanda as she walked. Later, he drove them to Central Square. Fernanda sat calmly in the passenger seat, while Erika and Kevin brooded in the back.

Erika’s glare bore into Fernanda’s profile, her voice tight with frustration. “Have you thought about what will happen if Dad hears about this? Kevin p>

“Enough!” Kevin cut her off sharply. “I agreed to the bet p>

Erika’s protests only deepened Kevin’s frustration. Every word made him feel weaker, less able to own up to his loss. And Fernanda—this smug country girl—would only look down on him more.

He might have lost the game, but he refused to lose his dignity. It was just a few words. He’d shout them, and he’d survive.

“Kevin!” Erika’s disapproving gaze pierced him. “Have you lost your mind? School starts soon! What if your classmates find out? How will you even face them p>

Kevin’s irritation flared, her words striking a nerve. He yanked his headphones over his ears, drowning out everything in a wave of defiance.

Erika sat frozen, lips parted but silent. She had only been trying to help—why couldn’t he see that?

Central Square was alive with laughter, chatter, and music. Neon lights flickered overhead, casting a vibrant glow on the bustling crowd.

Under a brightly lit sign, a street performer strummed his guitar, his soulful voice carrying above the noise.

“This spot is perfect,” Fernanda said, stepping forward with confidence. As the performer finished his song, she leaned in, whispered something, and he nodded, stepping aside.

With an air of finality, Fernanda lifted the microphone.

“Alright,” she said with a sly smile. “I’ve borrowed this just for you, Kevin. Time to keep your promise p>

“Fernanda, this is too much!” Erika’s voice rose in protest. “Making Kevin shout is bad enough, but now you’ve roped in a microphone? Must you humiliate him so publicly p>

Fernanda glanced coolly at Erika. “Do you want to shout for him instead p>

“You…” Erika faltered, unable to find a comeback.

“If you can’t muster the courage to do it for him,” Fernanda continued, her tone razor-sharp, “then stop whining. Your constant nagging is exhausting p>

Erika’s frustration boiled over. She stomped her foot, her face burning with anger.

“Ector!” she cried, turning to him. “Are you just going to stand there? Are you seriously letting them go through with this p>

Ector crossed his arms, his tone calm and measured. “This was part of the deal. A deal is a deal p>

Kevin’s pride had always gone unchecked, and perhaps this moment would finally humble him. As the youngest in the Morgan family, he had always been the household’s darling, showered with endless affection. Criticism was a foreign concept—no one had ever dared to truly reprimand him.

Ector had watched as this indulgence built up a fragile pride, never tested by the harshness of reality. Now, with Fernanda back, perhaps this was the lesson Kevin truly needed.

Sometimes, setbacks were the most valuable lessons of all.

Erika’s frustration simmered into a throbbing headache. Ever since Fernanda had returned, Ector seemed to hang on her every word, siding with her at every turn. What had gotten into him?

“Please,” Fernanda glanced at Kevin, her voice steady and unyielding. “We’re all waiting p>

Kevin stood frozen at the microphone, his mouth opening and closing, but no words emerged. Though he had steeled himself mentally, the flashing neon lights and the bustling crowd left him speechless. A single breath hissed through the microphone, amplified into the night like a hesitant echo.

Fernanda’s earlier accusations of cowardice rang louder in his head than the crowd’s chatter. He wasn’t a coward. He wasn’t narrow-minded. He wasn’t someone who broke promises. His fists clenched, knuckles white as determination surged through him. Veins bulged against his temples as he inhaled deeply, steadying himself.

Finally, his eyes flicked open, locking onto Fernanda’s unrelenting stare. Her indifference was like a spark to dry tinder, igniting his resolve.

“I, Kevin Morgan, am a loser p>

His voice, amplified by the microphone, reverberated through the square.

“I, Kevin Morgan, am a loser! I, Kevin Morgan, am a loser p>

Each shout grew louder, his voice carving through the night, echoing like thunder in the vibrant square.