Ninety-Nine Times Does It novel Chapter 1

The door to my room was suddenly pushed open without warning. My brother, Adrian Hoffman, walked in and scoffed when he saw me staring blankly at my diary.

"Aren't you a little too old to be writing a diary?"

Normally, I would have argued back. But this time, I didn't even lift my head or respond.

Seeing my lack of reaction, he grew irritated and ran his hand through his hair before snatching my diary to take a look.

On it was a single number—99.

It was the number of times they had let me down over the years.

Adrian frowned, unable to make sense of it.

He tossed my diary onto the floor and ordered, "Stop writing this nonsense. Nina wants to eat the garlic shrimp you make. Go wash your hands and get downstairs. Consider it an apology for that snarky remark you made to her earlier."

I only hummed in response before I got up and headed downstairs.

Adrian was surprised that I didn't throw a tantrum. After all, every time my family asked me to make garlic shrimp, I would always cry and whine as if it were some huge injustice.

He must be wondering why I was so quiet this time.

"Sadie, did you switch personalities or something? Or are you planning something sneaky like putting something in the food?"

Adrian eyed me suspiciously, trying to see through me. He finally noticed my slightly red-rimmed eyes and stiffened, shutting his mouth.

After a long while, he spoke again, "Nina was abroad for a year. She's been on her own for so long, and this is her first time back. We were eager to see her. You should be more understanding. It was just a wedding. We can just push it to a later date, can't we?"

I remained silent as I took the shrimp out of the fridge and began to clean them.

But now, I knew leaving was the only right decision.

Unfortunately, even though I had submitted my application, I still had to wait two more weeks before I could leave.

I pushed Adrian away. "Move, please. You're in the way."

He appeared a little lost and was about to say something when the beloved princess in the living room called out to him, "Adrian, I can't seem to shell this pecan!"

That made Adrian all worked up. "Don't do it yourself. You're going to hurt your hands. You're a future pianist. Hold on, I'll do it for you!"

With that, the annoying fly finally left the kitchen.

I looked down at my hands. My slender fingers were now red and swollen from an allergic reaction.