Chapter 13 Babe 82 +5 Free Coins After an hour - long ride on the high - speed train , Dawn arrived home and took a bath , not realizing that Jessica had already called Austin . As Dawn made her way down the stairs , Jessica greeted her with a friendly wave . " Dawn , why didn't you bring Austin back with you ? " Dawn smiled back and said , " Uncle Austin's job keeps him tied up . He'll come visit when he gets some free time . " Austin was much older than his brother , Harry . Growing up , he had been a bit of a troublemaker , often causing the family stress and concern. Jessica's eyes gleamed for a moment , and she tilted her head slightly . " Did you and Austin have a fight ? " Dawn froze , wondering if it was that obvious . Jessica let out a small sigh . " In the past , if I said something bad about him , you'd have worse things to say . I've never seen you standing up for him like this ." Dawn understood the personalities of every member of the Osborne family and knew how to speak in a way that would ease the tension . It was clear something had shifted today , and Jessica's formal tone wasn't helping matters . With a resigned smile , Dawn responded , " But you said I should show Uncle Austin respect and treat him with good manners . " Jessica replied with a slight smirk , " I meant you should respect him in your heart . It wasn't about what you say about him . " Though her logic seemed questionable , Dawn didn't want to argue further . The bond between her and Austin had changed , and their relationship from here on out would simply be that of uncle and niece . " It's such a nice day . How about we go outside and get some sunshine ? " Jessica gave her a scrutinizing look , sensing something was off . Something wasn't quite right , and she decided to leave the difficult conversation for her daughter - in - law . Behind the Osborne family's old house , Jessica and Sandra had planted a small vegetable 1/5 21:59 Sun , Sep 14 d ... Chapter 13 Babe 82 +5 Free Coins garden in a vacant lot , growing everyday produce they often used in meals . After finishing her work at the company that morning , Sandra had little else to do . Following Jessica's unspoken suggestion , she invited Dawn to help with watering the plants and pulling out the weeds . Dawn sat on the edge of the garden , holding two hoses and spraying water from two different heights . She used a finger to block the nozzle partially , testing how far the water could spray . Sandra , wearing gardening gloves , carefully removed the weeds while occasionally casting Dawn a soft , affectionate glance . Sandra didn't have a daughter of her own , and Austin's decision to adopt Dawn had helped fill the emptiness she felt . " Dawn ," Sandra called gently . " Yes ? " " Did Austin upset you ? " Dawn relaxed her finger , and the once forceful stream of water slowed , splashing at her feet and creating a small trench in the soil . Sandra watched her , letting out a quiet sigh , before smiling warmly. " Jessica asked me to comfort you , but I think you're old enough to have your own feelings . If Austin really did something unforgivable , it's okay if you don't want to be close to him . But I hope you can talk to me . At least I can help you work through things ." She paused for a moment before adding , " But if you don't want to , that's okay too ." Dawn had grown up , and now had her own thoughts and feelings . Dawn felt a sting in her eyes , even though nothing was really wrong . Sandra's words struck her unexpectedly , filling her with emotion . She didn't know how to express the sense of unfairness she felt because , when she thought about it ... even she could see that Austin hadn't really done anything that awful . He simply didn't love her . Sydney was to blame for what she had done . Dawn didn't have the right to expect Austin's love , and she had to accept that her feelings wouldn't be returned . " It's nothing , Mom . " 2/5 21:59 Sun , Sep 14 d . Chapter 13 Babe 82 +5 Free Coins Dawn forced a smile . " I just feel like I've grown up . I can't keep relying on Uncle Austin for everything ... Eventually , he'll have his own family . " Sandra understood immediately . She sighed quietly , both heartbroken and helpless . Sandra wasn't old - fashioned , but she understood that matters of the heart couldn't be forced . She took off her gloves and walked over , gently patting Dawn's head . " You've really grown up . You're kind and beautiful . I'm sure one day you'll find someone who truly loves you . I'll be waiting for that day . " Dawn nodded sincerely . " Thanks , Mom . " They continued talking , and the conversation made Sandra realize just how much Dawn had changed . She no longer acted on impulse or spoke without thinking . Instead , she had grown calmer , more peaceful , as though life had taught her some hard lessons . In some ways , it was for the best . As evening came , Dawn was once again helping in the kitchen . Seeing how much time Dawn had spent in the sun , Jessica urged her to rest . " You can't cook , so get out of the way . Go play with your phone or something . " Dawn smiled warmly , feeling affection , and reluctantly left the kitchen . Just as she turned around , she noticed two familiar figures standing by the door . Her smile faltered , and she stopped in her tracks . Sandra had picked out two fruits to prepare . " Go and rest on the couch . Why are you standing here ? " Before she could say more , the door opened , and she paused when the two people entered . She smiled politely and said , " Oh , Austin , you brought a friend ? Please , sit . Dawn , get them some water . " Though her tone was courteous , it subtly placed Sydney in the role of an " outsider . " Sydney's smile stiffened for a moment , but she quickly brightened . " Sandra , it's a pleasure to meet you ." 3/5 21:59 Sun , Sep 14 d Chapter 13 Babe 82 +5 Free Coins Sandra raised an eyebrow but didn't say anything , only smiling as she turned to call Jessica from the kitchen . " Jessica , Austin is home ." Austin glanced at them , and when he saw Dawn , he grabbed a pair of shoes from the rack and handed them to Sydney . His gaze met Dawn's briefly , and he felt an unexpected tightness in his chest . Dawn quickly looked away and headed to the kitchen to get some water . Jessica , having just finished drying her hands , passed by and quietly asked , " Who did he bring back ? " Dawn replied flatly , " His girlfriend . " " I doubt his taste . She's probably nothing good ." Dawn was speechless , thinking that the wisdom of experience seemed to ring true . Dawn thought about the Virgin Mary pendant still with Sydney . Her brows furrowed ever so slightly . I have to get it back in the next few days , and I don't think I can rely on Austin . Should I ask Sydney for it directly ? Lost in her thoughts , she placed the water on the coffee table and quietly stepped aside , listening to the idle small talk that followed . Sydney was an expert at this , skillfully complimenting everyone and introducing herself in the most flattering way . Feeling bored , Dawn decided to go upstairs to chat with Ethan instead . He had just finished his work in Meriax and was getting ready to return to the country . " Alright , " Dawn sighed , looking up . " I'll stay a couple more days , send out my resume , and then come find you . " " Why can't I find you instead ? " Ethan teased . " Uh ... " He wants to come find me ? Dawn bit her lip . " I don't think that's possible . I'm not in Trifton right now . I'm out in the suburbs of another city . " 4/5 21:59 Sun , Sep 14 d Chapter 13 Babe : There was a brief silence before he asked , " The Osborne family's estate ? " " Yeah . " 82 +5 Free Coins He chuckled softly , his voice deep and magnetic . " Babe , did you forget ? I lived there for years too . My family's old house is there . " Dawn was caught off guard by his affectionate term , but her attention quickly shifted to his next words , That's right , the Jacksons and the Osbornes have been neighbors for years . Ethan is probably planning to visit and take a look . Dawn considered it for a moment and then said , " Well , come on by . Just don't say I made you go through all that trouble . " Just as Austin opened the door , he overheard her words and asked , " Who are you inviting over ? " 5/5 Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!