Chapter 21
As the legitimate daughter, Daphne should’ve dwarfed Hannah, the affair–born shadow. Yet Hannah had clawed every advantage. Only Daphne’s biting wit remained unclaimed.
Daphne’s lip curled into a smirk, but her eyes were sce. “You tell me, Mr. Goodman,” she shot back.
She thought with a sneer. He always thinks I bullied Hannah because I could. That my sharp tongue makes me the villain. Of course he’d believe that. Why wouldn’t he? He never even cared enough to ask.
ving me a room to stay‘
This house was supposed to be mine–now it’s Hannah’s kingdom. They took every scrap, not even leaving me
Yancey’s gaze locked onto hers, emotions churning in a way she couldn’t decipher. When he spoke again, his voice was softer than she’d heard in weeks. I didn’t know-
He was going to say it—that she’d become the stranger in her own home. But Daphne cut him off before the words could land.
“We’re divorced.” Her tone could’ve frozen August “I’ve made it clear; we’re strangers now. No shared past. No explanations. Save your epiphanies for someone who cares” She spun on her heel, not wasting a single glance at the man who’d once shared her bed.
Yancey stood rooted, deep in thought, Hannah’s shrieks ringing in his ears as Daphne marched away without a backward glance. This wasn’t the story he’d been sold.
she’d bullied her half–sister, even did anything to exile Hannah abroad to
Hannah had spun him endless tales about Daphne’s scheming how sh secure their engagement
He’d pictured a spoiled heiress, not this woman he saw with his own eyes. Not a woman treated like a trespasser in her own home–even as the only legitimate child.
He thought, I’ve always wondered why Daphne turns into a blade around Hannah–that edge of hers could slice through steel. For years, I’ve chalked it up to her being the “legitimate heiress,” thinking she disdains everyone beneath her.
‘But just look at this. That sharpness isn’t scom. She’s just welding her pride into armor. The only way to stop them from stripping her bare!
“Yancey!” Hannah shuffled out, eyes puffy and voice trembling. “Daphne threw every last thing of mine out the window–even my underwear” She sniffled, the perfect victim, her words sharpened to make Daphne the villain.
Vanery just thought to himself. The mansion has dozens of bedrooms. Any could’ve been Hannah’s. Yet Hannah’s bulldozed into Daphne’s space without a word–like erasing her is nothing”
he just interrupted her with a frown. This was on you, not her, Hannah”
Her gaze skittered away as he scanned the room. “Where’s Daphne’s stuff?”
Hannah froze, her smile wavering as she looked away. “What! … I gave it back.
Yancey kept staring at herghis tone sharp. “You know what I’m asking”
She looked down, avoiding his eyes, fists clenched behind her back. Then she looked up at him and forced a light laugh, trying to divert his attention. “Shouldn’t we finish dinner?”
The deflection only deepened his suspicion. Her clothes. Her things. Where are they? he pressed on.
Hannah’s throat went dry. No more lies left. “T–They cleared her stuff before I moved in. And I don’t know where her stuff is. I swear!
Yanery studied Hannah’s face, waiting. She wouldn’t meet his eyes. Clearly, she knew, and she wouldn’t say it
Thewhy was etched in the guilt on her face. His jaw tightened into a hard line as he gave Hannah one last, icy stare before pivoting and striding toward the stairs.
“Yancey, wait!” Hannah gasped, her heels clicking frantically as she chased him. “Where are yo
are you going? We haven’t even finished eating”
But Yancey’s legs are up the distance in long purposeful strides. Even at a jog, Hannah could barely keep pace with his relentless rhythm.
By the time he hit the first floor, Mary emerged from the banquet hall, a crystal vase glinting in her hands. “Mr. Goodman she chirped, her smile bright and habitual.
Yancey froze mid–step.
- p. pursing his lips once, sharply, before asking Mary. “Mary, any idea where Daphne’s things from her room went?* Mary frowned at this question and wondered. Why would he care! They’re over!
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10:54 AM H
Chapter 21
So she asked. “Her things! Mr. Goodman, may I know the reason?”
Just curious,” Yancey cut her off, his face emotionless.
He didn’t actually know why it mattered–the question had just been sitting there, sharp–edged in his chest. When Mary’s eyes narrowed with suspicion, he shrugged and took the last few steps down.
As he was about to leave the house, Mary’s voice stopped him cold. “Ms. Daphne Shaw’s stuff…”
Yancey paused. The words hung in the air like a dropped thread
“Mrs. Yvonne Shaw had everything moved to the east guest room. Mary finished, her tone apologetic.
Guest room–the polite fiction for that cell even servants avoided.
Yancey just left without another word.
As he reached the driveway, he saw Daphne sliding into a sleek black sports car. Philip was behind the wheel, looking every bit the charming prince in his tailored suit and clicked–back hair.
Daphne, in the passenger seat, was hathed in the soft glow of the moon, her beauty almost harsh under the moonlight. Together, they seemed to belong in another world–a world where everything was perfect and effortless.
Yancey stood motionless, his eyes frost–edged blades slicing through the night. Not a muscle twitched in his face, yet beneath that glacial calm, a hurricane raged. He wondered, ‘Since when are Daphne and Philip this close? Came all the way here just to drive her home!”
The car sped off, disappearing into the night.
Behind Yancey, Hannah’s breathless voice cut through the silence. “Yancey, where are you going?” she called out, panting in the run.
“I’m leaving” Yancey didn’t even blink and answered coldly, already striding past the gate.
She caught up and asked in surprise. “But we’re still having dinner.
But she couldn’t even touch him. He just pulled out his keys, unlocked his car, and slid into the driver’s seat. “Got things to do,” he said coldly and
Hannah stood rooted on the curb, staring after the retreating taillights, all confused and mad.
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