Chapter 25 The Truth Nobody Wanted
Chloe, tense and on edge, jumped off the couch the moment she heard the door. Her whole body stiffened.
Hayden strode toward her, but the second he caught sight of her from afar, he froze mid–step.
Chloe but her lip nervously and murmured. Hello, Uncle
Hayden’s face changed instantly: something in his mind snapped. Hote van a kid be this cute!
She looked even better than her photos.
Finished
Kelly lost control and rushed up to Chloe, circling her as she gave her a once–over “Oh honey, you’re absolutely stunning! One look at you and I know you’ve got a bright future! Let me introduce myself–Im Kelly, and starting today. I’m your manager: We’re gonna make loads of money together, okay, sweetheart?”
Chloe blinked, confused. “Make… money?
Hayden snapped out of it and lit a cigarette with a scowl. “Yeah, we don’t raise freeloaders in this family. You’re gonna cam your own living and pay for your own schooling–what, you think you get to live in this big house for free?”
Marvin frowned. Bucle, could you not talk to her like that? She’s just a kid.
Chloe quickly waved her hands. “It’s okay! I’ll work really hard!”
wanted to stay. she’d work hard to repay them–for taking her in.
Just then. Andres and the other two sons walked into the room. Hearing her words, they frowned and stepped straight into the living room.
Hayden flicked his ash into the tray, Kelly, you can go home for now. Take her to meet with the director tomorrow. I’ve got something to say to her.”
Kelly nodded and looked around at the room full of sharp–featured men.
The air was full of strong testosterone.
But it felt cold. She gave the girl a sympathetic glance and left.
The room’s atmosphere turned icy in an instant.
Andres stared at Chloe for a moment, then glanced at the third son. “Good eye”
Marvin said nothing.
Hayden scoffed. “What good is being well–dressed? What matters is having a decent heart. The ones who look all sweet and innocent on the surface are usually the ones doing dirty things behind your back.”
Then he narrowed his eyes and took a drag of his cigarette, “Chloe, how did your mom die?”
Chloe’s mind went blank. Her face turned pale in an instant. “What? Mommy… died?
The room went silent. All the men froze, startled.
Marvin shot his uncle a warning look “Uncle, enough. Chloe’s mom didn’t die–she just went up to the sky, that’s all!”
He’d tested the waters with Chloe on the drive over.
up to the sky
The kad didn’t believe her mom was dead at all. She’d told him, wide–eyed and serious, that her mom had gone up an become the queen of castle
Chily a kid could believe that
Hayden’s face twitched, he looked embarrassed. “Well since the queen’s ascended to the sky, why didn’t you tell me earlier? I would at least send a congratulatory gift to her planet”
12.27 AM PP.
Chapter 25 The Truth Nobody Wanted
Marvin glared at him, “How was I supposed to know you were gonna ask something like that?”
Marvin pondered. Seriously? Who leads with “how’d your mom die“? What kind of person even thinks to say that?
But Chloe had started to feel something wasn’t right. She asked in a small voice. “So…. my mommy died?”
The faces in the room shifted slightly, a flicker of guilt flashing across their expressions.
Finished
Hayden’s mouth twitched; he looked uncomfortable. I said the wrong thing. Your mom did go up to become the queen of… uh… Grab Kingdom or whatever.”
Marvin snapped, “It’s Magic Castle Queen!”
Hayden’s mouth twitched again. “…Right, right. Magic Castle Queen. But before she became queen, how did she live with you? Did she ever talk bad about us?”
Chloe’s face shifted slightly; she looked down, clearly uncomfortable.
Hayden saw right through her and narrowed his eyes. “Chloe, don’t play games with us. We can’t stand manipulative girls. You better be honest about what your mom said. If you lie, I won’t keep you here.”
Chloe trembled. A flicker of fear crossed her face as she stammered, “Mommy… didn’t talk to me much. She didn’t like me. She only told me I wa: Daddy’s kid, and that Daddy already had three sons and was really happy, and that I was the extra
one.”
She lowered her head. “She didn’t really talk about you guys… except when she was drunk. And even then, she mostly yelled at me and hit me.
Chloe looked up again. “But please believe me–she really didn’t say that much about you! She didn’t!”
That last part came out fast, desperate, like she was terrified they wouldn’t believe her.
Marvin’s heart twisted at the sight. Honestly, the explanation didn’t make him feel any better. What, are we supposed to feel okay just because her mom hit her instead of trash–talking us?
Hayden’s eyes darkened. “And? What did she usually do to make money?”
Chloe trembled again. Her brows furrowed tight, lips pressed together. She was small, but she understood–whatever her mom had been doing, it wasn’t anything good.
Send Gifts
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