Chapter 20
“Right. This mansion’s drowning in empty bedrooms. Why mine?” Daphne’s cold gaze swept over Hannah and Yvonne, who’d just rushed upstairs breathless. “You really want to kick me out, huh? Even fools would think twice before pulling this stunt”
Yvonne jumped in, defending Hannah and herself. “Nonsense! Don’t put words in my mouth. We’re not kicking you out. It’s just a room swap. Don’t be dramatic–Hannah will vacate tonight and you can have it back.”
Mason cleared his throat like a judge and chimed in, “My oversight, okay? Yvonne’s idea’s great. We’ll move Hannah to another room immediately.”
The very idea of staying in a room Hannah had used was absurd to Daphne. She snorted. “Keep it since it’s tainted.”
These words stung Hannah badly and she flinched as if scalded. Tears trembled on her lashes.
She cried. “I know you don’t like me, but please don’t take me wrong. I didn’t mean any harm. 1-1 just thought your room was bigger to do the switch. I thought he’d asked you…“
“Whatever, I don’t care.” Daphne rose with feline grace, like a queen rising from her throne, her height swallowing Hannah’s presence. Even Hannah, who was no slouch in the looks department, seemed to fade into the background.
Standing side by side, Daphne had a good half–head height advantage. When she leaned in, her gaze sharp and unblinking. Hannah had to tht her thin up just to meet her eyes.
Daphne’s smile turned saccharine. “I don’t do hand–me–downs,” she drawled, the word hand–me–downs practically dripping with venom.
Hannah’s eyes flicked to Yancey for a split second before snapping back to Daphne. “Is it just me, or are you trying to act like you’re better than everyone else?”
Daphne’s smile widened, but her eyes were ice. She snorted, “Well, it doesn’t matter. Since you’re so obsessed with my hand–me–downs, just take it Consider it my gift to you, little sister.
Their back–and–forth was a verbal duel, rach jab sharper than the last, aimed at drawing blood–figuratively, at least. Daphne seemed to land the final blow as always.
Now, Hannah’s face went sheet–white as the memory resurfaced: the auction, the flashing cameras, and Daphne’s icy public takedown. The online backlash was still raging, a wildfire of criticism that showed no sign of burning out.
Hannah swiped at her eyes, her voice cracking. “Dad… Yancey. I swear I didn’t mean any of this” She looked like a delicate thing, all wide eyes and trembling lips.
Even Yancey, who usually stayed out of their family squabbles, couldn’t help but frown. Not his drama, but Hannah’s teary eyes were a siren song.
He shot Daphne a tight, searching look, like he could will her into backing down “Look, Hannah and Mason messed up, but do you have to rub their faces in it?” –
Daphne had wised up. Whatever she’d once felt for Yancey was ash now. She met hh gaze, her eyes skating over his like he was smudged glass “Save the hero act, Mr. Goodman. You got skin in this game?”
As she turned down every option, Mason couldn’t pin down what the hell she wanted. He choked on his anger, speechless. He pressed a hand to his chest, dragging in the air until he finally spat out, “What the hell do you want!”
Daphne said coldly, “Nothing. Not from this house. Give me my mom’s stuff, and I’ll disappear. Permanently”
The words hung there, heavy as lead. Without her mom by her side, she’d spent her life clawing for scraps of love from Mason, only to be cut deeper each time.
Yancey, too, had turned into just another thorn in her side–all because of Hannah. Daphine saw it now: love was a scarce currency, and Hannah and Yvonne always bankrupted her
Mason waved at Yvonne. “Get her the damın mud. Now”
Yvonne hesitated, her lips parting to reply, when the sharp clack of shoes against marble cut through the tension. A flushed maid charged up the spiral staircase, clutching a crushed red velvet box–the kind meant for heirlooms, engagement rings, or something like that..
The maid’s labored breaths fogged the air as she thrust it toward Yvonne. “Ma’am, got it! Here you are”
Relief washed over Yvonne’s face at once. She took the box and turned to Daphne. “Here, take y
te your precious item.”
Bin Daphne’s gaze slid past the box to the maid panting beside them. “You’re new. Daphne stated.
The maid appeared to be around Yvonne’s age, but with an oily smile that didn’t reach her eyes–not a reliable help” was written all over her.
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10:51 AM
Chapter 20
“Miss,” she fawned, I’m Betty, the new maid.” Her forced grin soon quivered as Daphne stared back. Tiny sweat beads sprouted along her hairline.
“Why sb jumpy?‘ Daphne thought
Suddenly, Yvonne interrupted, “Daphne, you’ve got what you wanted. Happy now!”
Daphne’s attention snapped back to Yvonne at once
Yvonne’s breathing grew louder, almost wheezing as her eyes kept darting to the box in Daplane’s hand. She clung to Mason’s arm, muttering under her breath, “It’s just a stupid necklace… What’s the big deal?”
Mason was too angry to say anything else. He turned and walked downstairs with Yvonne, barking without turning, “What an independent grown- up. Enjoy. Don’t come crawling back when your little rebellion crashes.”
Hannah shot an irritated look at Daphne and then dashed into the room to see if there was anything left,
The hallway’s chatter died abruptly, leaving only Daphne and Yancey, Divorced by morning, forced into dinner by evening–and now this standing together in the hollow silence.
‘Has Mason planned this! Daphne wondered, “He just got me back and let Hannah and Yvonne rub their victory in my face–stealing my husband and then my childhood bedroom. Hannah must enjoy all this.
ཚན་
She glanced at Yancey. His chiseled and unreadable face, always so composed, now felt alien.
“You seriously lived like this with them” Yancey blurted out, his voice laced with disbelief. He couldn’t fathom how her own family treated
led her like
an outsider.
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