Chapter 2

Dad, who had been furious just moments ago, froze.

His voice softened. “What are you talking about? You’re my only daughter. How could I ever stop wanting you?”

I pouted and pointed at Jenna.

“Then what about her? Isn’t she here to become your daughter too? Isn’t she moving into our house?”

Dad answered without thinking. “She’s Maggie’s daughter. If you don’t like it, she can call me Uncle James instead of Dad.”

Maggie and Jenna stiffened.

They had been so close to getting their hands on this mansion, and now it was about to slip away.

Jenna put on a wounded expression.

“Uncle James, does Skyla not like me?”

Maggie immediately joined in.

“James, are we making things difficult for you? If Skyla truly doesn’t want us here, I won’t force it.”

She gazed at him tenderly.

“As long as I’m with you, anywhere can feel like home.”

Dad was instantly moved by her heartfelt declaration.

He took a deep breath.

“Skyla, Maggie will be like a mother to you from now on. Jenna will be your sister too, so you need to treat them well.”

My hands curled into fists.

My nails dug painfully into my palms.

The flowers on Mom’s grave hadn’t even wilted yet.

Who the hell was Maggie to replace my mother?

“Dad, Mom hasn’t even been gone five weeks. You two had been together since you were young, and everyone knew how devoted you were to each other. Is Maggie really in such a hurry that she couldn’t wait a little longer?”

At the mention of Mom, guilt flickered across Dad’s face.

At last, he stopped insisting.

“I didn’t think this through. Maggie, why don’t you and Jenna stay at the apartment downtown for a few days?”

Maggie stared at me, a flash of malice crossing her eyes.

Then she pressed a hand to her injured forehead and said weakly, “James, you know I’ll do whatever you think is best...”

Before she could finish, her eyes rolled back and she fainted.

Jenna nearly burst into tears.

“Mom! What’s wrong? Don’t scare me! You’ve always been in poor health!”

Dad instantly went into hero mode. He scooped Maggie into his arms and shouted, “Doctor! Where’s the doctor?”

I sat on the couch and watched with a cold smile.

So what if she had used this trick to stay?

I had plenty of ways to drive them both out.