Chapter 38
“That’s enough. You’re my dad, and she’s my sister, which means I can’t really do anything. But it doesn’t mean I have to forgive her or accept what happened.” Noelle took a sip of her tea, grimacing at the bitterness. “New tea, huh? Mom probably never even thought about giving me the good stuff. It’s always Winter this, Winter that. She never cares about how I feel. What about you, Dad?”
“Noelle…” Julian looked at her, his eyes filled with a hint of disappointment, and he shook his head, pained. “I’ve tried to get through to you, but you’re still not getting it. How has your sister been to you all these years? Remember it was your sister who saved you when you were kidnapped. How can you be ungrateful enough to compete with her for your boyfriend?”
“Dad, what are you saying?” Noelle stood up abruptly, her body trembling, her face turning ghostly pale as she stared at Julian.
She could not believe her father felt the same way about the situation, Sure, Winter had saved her back then, but the kidnappers had been after Winter, not her. All these years, her mom had held onto that, always blaming Noelle. To think that her dad would blame her too was beyond her comprehension.
Noelle’s head was spinning. “So, you’re on their side too? You think I’m the one who did Winter wrong? Come on, she’s been grabbing everything that’s mine for years. I’ve let her have it all, every single time. Shouldn’t that be enough by now? Will I always be in her debt? First, she took my toys, and now she’s after my boyfriend. What’s next?”
Julian was silent, his eyes a dark, scary pool that Noelle could not recognize. She felt a tightness in her chest that was almost too much to handle, and she blurted out, “Isn’t it supposed to be the big sister who looks out for the little one? Why is it the other way around with the Shaws? You all bend over backwards to get Winter whatever she wants. What if she decides she wants my life next?”
The study door flew open with a loud snap. Jade stormed in, livid, and slapped Noelle hard across the face, “What nonsense are you spouting, you little brat?”
“Why waste your breath on her? She’s like a spoiled kid who won’t take a hint until she’s punished. She won’t learn her lesson until she’s put in her place.”
Noelle clutched her cheek where Jade’s slap had landed. The pain was so sharp she was on the verge of tears, especially after hearing Jade’s harsh words. “A lesson? Right, that’s what you were preaching in the back garden.”
“You heard that?” Jade’s face twisted into an even nastier scowl as she turned to Julian. “Why are you just standing there? This girl’s a total disaster, but today, she can actually do something useful.” Jade shot Julian a look that clearly meant business.
“Your mom’s set you up with a marriage match. The guy is….
Julian did not get to finish. Noelle felt a wave of dread wash over her, and she stumbled back, collapsing into a chair. “What did you guys do?”
“Noelle, your dad’s just landed a mega deal. All you have to do is marry into the other family, and they’ll give Helios two hundred million. You know how huge that is for your dad’s business, right?” Jade said. Noelle scoffed. “So you’re just gonna trade me off? You guys…” She tried to sit up but crashed back down, drained of all strength, “Dad, aren’t I your kid too? Why are you doing this?”
“Why? Because the guy actually likes you. You should be stoked you’re worth something,” came the cold
+15 BONUS
reply. Jade’s voice faded, and Noelle’s world went fuzzy. She bit down hard, trying to stand, yet ended up slamming into the floor. Right before everything went black, she caught Jade’s icy snort, “Why isn’t she in the next room yet? Master York won’t like waiting!”
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