It Should Have Been Like This (The Revised Version)

Chapter 55: He'll live

I felt a gentle tugging at my dress and looked down to see my daughters, Savia and Serenity. Serenity's eyes were brimming with tears, while Savia wore a deeply concerned expression.

"Mom, why are those women killing our father?" Savia asked, her voice tinged with distress.

"Mommy, who are they?" Serene inquired, her gaze fixed on the women.

"Those are your aunties, and they are beating your father up because he did something mean to them. Don't worry, he'll be…" I paused mid-sentence as I heard Rominic's agonized scream, followed by a loud splash. They had thrown him into the pool. "Fine," I added, clicking my tongue. They would never simply throw him in without breaking something first. "He'll survive," I reassured the girls.

Rylee let out a mocking laugh as she stood over the pool, watching Rominic sink beneath the surface without any apparent struggle. There was no way he would actually drown — Rominic was an exceptional swimmer, a skill Serenity had inherited. Unless…

"Rylee, did you paralyze his leg and arm again?" I asked. She turned her head and gave me a toothy, albeit sinister, smile. Her short hair fell gracefully onto her shoulders, creating a curtain around her face. I rolled my eyes and let out a silent prayer of relief as I spotted Phineas rushing in. God bless him for arriving.

Phineas looked at the scene with a groan. "You promised me you'd go easy on him, sugar. This isn't what we agreed," he said, his voice laced with frustration.

Rylee shrugged nonchalantly. "You can either stand there and nag or save his ass," she retorted. Phineas cursed under his breath, kicked off his expensive black sneakers, and ran towards the pool.

Savia stepped forward and snapped her fingers. Immediately, Rylee and Tyra turned their attention to her, their eyes lighting up with curiosity.

Tyra moved to approach Savia, but the girl stepped back and raised her hand. "Whoa! Not in your life! No touching," she exclaimed. Rylee and Tyra looked surprised by Savia's firm words. With her back turned to me, I couldn't see Savia's facial expression.

"So you're my father's sisters?" Savia asked, her tone measured.

"Unfortunately," Rylee replied, shoving her hands into her pockets and looking at Savia with a nonchalant air. In contrast, Tyra was visibly fighting the urge to squeal with excitement.

"Why'd you beat him up?" Savia inquired.

"Because he's stupid," Rylee shrugged. "Most brothers are."

"Good point," Savia agreed with a nod. "It's our duty as the responsible sisters to put them straight," she continued, her voice laced with a hint of affirmation. "Still, that man is my father, and you're scaring my siblings. We can't have that now, can we?"

Rylee smirked mischievously. "I'll give you $3000," she offered.

"Make that five and we have a deal," Savia countered without hesitation. My eyes widened in surprise. Savia shoved her conscience into a money bag.

Rylee threw her head back and let out a boisterous laugh. Serenity left my side and went to be with her father after Phineas pulled him out of the pool.

"I'll give you $5000 if you let me hug you!" Tyra exclaimed, bouncing up and down with unbridled excitement.

"$7000 or no deal," Savia stated firmly.

"Yes!" Tyra cried out, swiftly flying over and enveloping Savia in a tight embrace.

I shook my head and walked over to Phineas and Rominic, who were both coughing and sputtering. "Stop crying, mini-me, he's survived worse," Phineas said, gently stroking Serenity's head.