Because,” my father’s voice wa strained with barely contained anger ‘regardless of how you feel about her birth mother, fummer holds shares we need. Or have you forgotten that detail in your spite
The world tilted beneath my feet. Not their real daughter. Adopted. Shares they need.
Each word hit like a physical blow, shattering everything I thought knew about myself. I stumbled backward, my elbow knocking against a decorative vase, which wobbled precariously.
The voices inside the study immediately fell silent.
‘Did you hear something?” my mother asked sharply.
1 froze, paralyzed with panic. The door handle turned.
Just as the door began to open, a strong hand clamped over my mouth while another arm wrapped around my waist, yanking me backward into the shadows of an adjoining hallway. Sean’s body shielded mine from view.
“Richard, I definitely heard something,” my mother insisted from the doorway.
A soft thud and skittering of claws drew their attention away.
“There’s your noise,” my father said. “Just that stray cat Parker keeps feeding.”
Their footsteps retreated, followed by the soft click of the study door closing.
Only then did Sean release me, his worried eyes searching my face. “Summer?”
But I couldn’t respond. My body felt disconnected, like I was floating outside myself. The revelation echoed in my mind, shattering
and reforming with each repetition.
Not their daughter. Never was. A transaction. Unwanted.
“Summer!” Sean’s voice seemed to come from very far away.
I barely registered his hands on my shoulders, gently shaking me. I stared blankly at his face, unable to process anything beyond the deafening roar in my head.
“Summer, I’m sorry for grabbing you like that,” he apologized. “Summer?”
Something in his tone finally pierced through the fog. I blinked, reality crashing back with brutal force.
“Sean,” I whispered, my voice cracking. “I need to see Brandon. I need to see Brandon right now.”
“I
Sean’s brow furrowed with worry. “But Brandon’s at the Stark mansion tonight. It’s Christmas Eve–there’s a strict family tradition. He probably can’t leave-”
“No,” I cut him off, desperation clawing at my chest. “I don’t care. I need to see Brandon, even if I have to go to the Stark house. I need to see him!”
“Okay, okay, Sean said, raising his hands in a placating gesture. “We’ll see Brandon. But we should at least say goodbye grandfather first. He’ll worry if we just disappear.”
Before I could respond, a familiar voice called out from down the hallway.
TUI
1/2
Chapter 299
“There you are!‘ Victoria’s sactharine tone made my skin crawl. “We been looking everywhere for you two!”
She glided toward us, Alexander trailing behind her like a reluctant hadow. My head throbbed as I tried to focus on her face–my not–sister, the daughter they’d actually wanted.
“We have to leave,” Sean said smoothly, positioning himself slightly front of me. “Something’s come up. Please extend our apologies to the rest of the family.”
Victoria’s practiced smile didn’t falter, but her eyes narrowed slightly “Leaving so soon? But the night’s just getting started!*
“Unavoidable, I’m afraid,” Sean replied, his tone brooking no argument. He placed a steady hand at the small of my back, gently guiding me forward.
We left them frozen in mutual hostility, Sean practically carrying me down the stairs and out into the bitter December night. The moment we, cleared the front door, my legs gave out completely.
“Summer! Sean crouched beside me, alarm evident in his voice. “What’s going on? What happened back there?”
The cold air against my face finally broke the dam. Tears streamed down my cheeks as I gasped for breath between sobs.
“Sean, I choked out, clutching at his coat. “Please… I need to see Brandon. I need to see him right now.”
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