Chapter 18 I'm Back Dawn stayed quiet , listening as Sydney went on . 81 +10 Free Coins " You act all innocent in front of everyone , pretending to be scared the Osbornes might abandon you , don't you ? You've got Jessica and Sandra eating out of your hand , but deep down , you just want their money , don't you ? " The more Sydney talked , the more convinced she became of her theory . If my theory's true , I can't allow Dawn to stay in the Osbornes ' house . A cold glint appeared in her eyes as her voice turned sharp . " You're a kid nobody wants . You should've had the decency to leave the Osbornes when you turned 18. Instead , you're hanging on , too shameless to go ." Dawn stayed composed , her gaze steady . " That's between me and the Osbornes , Ms. Peay . It has nothing to do with you . " " You're still after Austin , though . How is that not my problem ? " Sydney's anger was building , her eyes burning with rage . Dawn hadn't expected a woman could get this worked up over a man . Her disdain for Sydney had deepened after the Virgin Mary pendant incident , but now , in a strange turn , she almost felt sorry for her . Sydney's entire life seemed consumed by scheming and manipulation , leaving no room for her to simply be herself . Dawn gave her a moment to breathe before replying quietly , " Sydney , the only thing I have against you is that you deliberately broke my Virgin Mary pendant . Other than that , there's not reason for us to keep talking . I'm not wasting any more time or energy on this . " It's not worth it . Instead of continuing this argument , it's better to figure out how to fix the pendant . " As you've seen , Austin isn't interested in me , so you don't need to keep going after me . If we can just get through the next few days quietly , I'll leave the Osbornes . " Sydney didn't believe a word of it . " I'll stop targeting you if you leave right now ! " 1/5 22:03 Sun , Sep 14 ... Chapter 18 I'm Back Dawn gave her a look as if she couldn't believe she was still having to explain herself . 81 +10 Free Coins She turned to walk away , but Sydney suddenly yanked a handful of her hair . " You're not going anywhere until you explain yourself ! You heard me . You have to leave now . Go back and tell them you're leaving the Osbornes ! " Dawn winced as the pain from her scalp spread . This woman has completely lost her mind . " Sydney , let go ! " she protested . " Promise me ! " Does she really think I'm a kid ? Dawn didn't waste any more words . With a quick move , she yanked her arm free and shoved back . Sydney's grip loosened , and before Dawn could do anything , she felt a force pushing her and saw Sydney lose her footing before tumbling down the nearby slope . Her heart skipped a beat . " Sydney ! " Before she could react , a faster figure dashed toward Sydney . Dawn froze , her breath shaky . For a moment , she almost wanted to laugh , but it caught in her throat . This is the third time . Sydney ... and Austin . Sweat dripped down Dawn's face as she watched Austin carefully lift Sydney up . Sydney's face was pressed into his chest , and Dawn couldn't tell if she was unconscious or just dazed . Austin's face remained impassive . " What are you waiting for ? Call an ambulance ! " Dawn bit her lip . She wanted to tell him that Sydney had brought it on herself , but she knew Austin wouldn't believe her ... He never did . After making the call , she tucked her phone away . She lifted her gaze , speaking matter - of - factly , " I didn't push her . She fell on her own . " " Last time , and the time before that , you said the same thing ," Austin replied coldly , a smile curling his lips , though there was something deeper in his eyes - disappointment , maybe ? 2/5 22:03 Sun , Sep 14 ... Chapter 18 I'm Back : 81 +10 Free Coins Dawn couldn't tell . All she knew was the heavy finality in his voice . " This time , if Sydney decides to press charges , I won't protect you . " The ambulance arrived , and Austin , looking troubled , took off his jacket and draped it over Sydney . Dawn stood on the side , watching the headlights vanish into the distance . Her scalp still throbbed where Sydney had grabbed her , and the spot burned with lingering pain . Her hair was a mess , and the sweat lingered on her face that was abnormally flushed. She stood there , motionless , for what seemed like ages before turning around mechanically and heading home . Inside , everyone was talking about the ambulance . " Who could it be ? An ambulance at this hour ... Dawn ! What happened to you ? Everyone jumped when they saw her . Sandra rushed over with a towel to wipe her face and check for any injuries . " Sweetheart ... how did a walk turn into this ? Where's Ms. Peay ? Where's Austin ? He went looking for you earlier . " Dawn lowered her gaze . " They went to the hospital . " Sydney and I ... we fell . " Sandra spoke softly , " Since she's at the hospital , why didn't you go ? You should at least get checked out , just to be sure ! " I didn't go because Austin didn't care about me . Dawn replied quietly , " I'm fine . I just want to rest . " She had planned to stay with them for a few more days , but it seemed like every day had been chaotic since her return . Maybe it's time to leave . Perhaps that's exactly what Austin and Sydney want . As she packed her things , her phone buzzed with a call from Ethan . " What are you doing ? " Through the phone , Dawn could hear the distant hum of the city , and suddenly her eyes filled 3/5 22.03 Sun , Sep 14 d Chapter 18 I'm Back with tears . " Packing . " " Packing ? " Ethan's tone shifted to concern . " Where are you now ? " " At home . " 81 +10 Free Coins Dawn put the phone on speaker , her voice barely above a whisper . " I'm leaving tomorrow morning . I'll drop my things in Trifton to ship them off , then head to Northville . " There was a brief pause before Ethan asked softly , " Did someone bully you ? " Dawn didn't answer , but the tears flowed freely now . Ethan sighed , his voice carrying both exasperation and gentleness . " Can't you take better care of yourself ? " " I am taking care of myself . " Dawn wanted to say that she was doing her best to stop caring about those two , but the debt of being raised by that family made it difficult to just walk away . Ethan glanced at the time , his voice steady . " In ten minutes , I'll be waiting for you at the corner outside the Osbornes . " " It's so late ... " Dawn hesitated , shocked . " You're back ? " Ethan's smile was softer as he gazed out at the familiar , yet strange , street . " Yeah , I'm back . " Dawn jumped to her feet . Her first instinct was to glance out the window , remembering that she was still at the Osbornes . " Wait for me ! " She hung up and quickly rummaged through her clothes . What should I wear ? It's been so long since I last saw Ethan . Why am I suddenly nervous ? For a moment , she forgot her earlier sadness , her heart racing as she wondered what she should say when she saw him . Should I greet him first ? Or just casually pat his shoulder like an old friend ? 46 4/5 22:03 Sun , Sep 14 Chapter 18 I'm Back None of it feels right . 81 +10 Free Coins Lost in thought , she found herself waiting at the corner , her heart pounding in anticipation . Then , a deep voice called out behind her . " Dawn . " She turned . The man stood there in a black coat , his sharp features standing out in the dim light . He grinned at her lazily and spread his arms . " Come here ." Dawn's heart skipped a beat before thundering in her chest . She grinned wide and rushed into his embrace . 5/5 Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!