Chapter 82
Her brother’s affection belonged to her.
And so did Brian.§
Claire, you shameless woman. You dared to covet what wasn’t yours, and for that, you deserve nothing but disdain. Vanessa’s hatred for Claire burned intensely. In an instant, she devised a plan to deal with her
She stomped down the stairs, her footsteps echoing through the house.
Seeing Vanessa alone, Adah couldn’t help but ask, “Vanessa, where’s your sister?”
Vanessa feigned disappointment, “She’s not in Brian’s room, she’s probably retreated to her own space again.”?
Adah’s expression froze, already aware that Claire’s “room” was nothing more than a storage closet. When Ethan had shown her the small, damp, windowless space Claire had called home for three years, Adah’s heart had nearly broken.
She couldn’t fathom how Claire had managed in such a grim place. So when Ethan had decided to renovate his own room into a girlish, princess–themed surprise for Claire, Adah had supported him wholeheartedly, hoping it might mend their mother–daughter relationship. Yet, since Claire had woken up, there had been no gratitude, no appreciation.
That alone would have been tolerable, but when Claire returned to the storage room, it felt like a personal affront, a deliberate move to keep their relationship strained.)
Sadness and frustration mixed on Adah’s face, annoyed by Claire’s coldness and her stubbornness.
Just as she was about to head to the storage room, Vanessa stopped her, “Mom, let me go. We’re closer in age, and maybe she’ll listen
to me. L
Adah sank back into the couch, agreeing with Vanessa’s reasoning. Claire was just a child; surely it wasn’t her place as the elder to grovel.
It was becoming increasingly unacceptable.
With that thought, Adah gestured for Vanessa to fetch Claire.}}
As Vanessa tumed, her expression hardened with determination.
She marched to the storage room, not bothering to knock before barging in.
“Wow! Sleeping in the middle of the day, how delightful, dear sister
Claire’s eyes snapped open, her gaze icy, “Get out!“?
Vanessa laughed mockingly, “You want me to leave? Who do you think you are?“}}
She crossed her arms, eyes filled with disdain, “Just because you’re our parents‘ biological daughter doesn’t mean you can lord it over me. Who do you think they really care about?“%
“You might be the real daughter, but you’re still nothing more than a neglected stray”
She lifted her chin, as if Claire were nothing but dirt, “Let me warn you, Brian is my man. He’s not someone you can dream of having
Claire remained calm, rising slowly from her makeshift bed to face Vanessa. “Your man? You can’t even keep him in check. If you could, Brian wouldn’t be chasing me down to the storage room, nor forbidding me from marrying Heir Foster.“!
Her lips curled into a teasing smile as she leaned closer to Vanessa, “Want to know what Brian said to me?”
Vanessa gritted her teeth. “What did Brian say to you?“%
“He said Heir Foster is out of my league, but he. Brian, welcomes my attention”
Vanessa’s face twisted with anger, the words striking a nerve.
She raised her hand, ready to slap Claire, “You shameless hussy.”
Claire easily dodged Vanessa’s attack, then retaliated with a swift slap across Vanessa’s face.
