Chapter 5
When the dressing room door burst open, I’d just finished using cold water to reduce the puffiness around my eyes.[]
Caspian stormed in with Summer, both their faces still flushed with anger, followed by several reporters with cameras.[]
Obviously they’d deliberately led them here.[]
“Aria, what the hell was all that crap you said at the
press
conference!”
Caspian charged right up to me, the bloodshot in his eyes even worse than mine.[]
“What gives you the right to call Summer an outsider? What gives you the right to question my motives?“]
Before I could get a word out, Summer stepped forward half a pace, eyes red and puffy, clutching what she claimed was at handkerchief with Dad’s hair in it.]
***
www
“I know this is hard for you to accept, but I really am Dad’s daughter. When I was little, I saw you once at Bloomingdale’s–you were wearing a pink dress and Dad was carrying you. Mom and I hid behind a pillar watching for the longest time…“]]
Her voice got quieter and more tearful: “Why won’t you acknowledge me? Can’t we just do a DNA test? All we need is to compare my DNA with Dad’s and that’ll prove I’m telling the truth.“[]
“DNA test?!”
I reacted like those words burned me, stumbling back a step as tears instar
instantly flooded my eyes.[]
This time I didn’t need to work up the emotion–their entitled attitud
had
me
genuinely pissed off and hurt.[]
Caspian immediately jumped in, raising his voice for the watching
www
22
A
I pride make you miss out on real family. One
“Aria, I know you’re just confused right now. Family bonds are precious–don’t let pride make test, crystal clear results. That’s good for everyone.“]]
I laughed through my tears, which were dripping down my chin.[]
“Caspian, tell me what exactly do you mean by ‘good for everyone?“”]
I pointed at the handkerchief in Summer’s hands, my voice shaking with emotion.
“She shows up with hair from God knows where, wanting to do tests with my dad. If she does it today, what’s to stop random women from showing up tomorrow with their kids, claiming they once met my father? What’s next–strange men showing up with old photos saying Dad looks like their long–lost son?”
“What do you think my father is?” I suddenly raised my voice, tears blurring my vision.[]
“Some kind of breeding stud? Some tool for anyone to latch onto? He valued his reputation above everything when he was alive, and now he can’t even rest in peace–you want to drag him out and make him take DNA tests with a bunch of random people?!”
Summer flinched at my words, dropping the handkerchief as her face went ghost–white: “I
mean it like that… I just
Chapter 5
wanted to prove who I am…“]
“Prove who you are?” I advanced on her step by step, each one punctuated by tears.]
“He’s gone, and you still want to force me to disturb his remains to provide evidence for you people?!“[]
By the last few words I was practically screaming, chest heaving, whole body trembling.]
Tears covered my face, making me look both haggard and pitiful.[]
Caspian tried to reach out and steady me, but I swatted his hand away hard.[]
“Don’t touch me! Caspian, you wanted the reporters to witness this, right? Fine, I’ll make myself crystal clear today–“[]
I turned toward the reporters with their cameras, my voice clear despite the tears.]]
“My father Robert Sterling’s ashes will be laid to rest next week. If anyone dares to disturb the ceremony, I, Aria Sterling, will make them pay in blood–even if it costs me everything the Sterling family has!“]
“As for DNA testing,” I whirled back to glare at Summer, the viciousness in my eyes making her instinctively back away.
“Absolutely not!“]
Summer’s face drained of all color, her lips trembling speechlessly.[]
Caspian’s expression darkened too.
“Butler, show these guests out!“]
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