LOGINAfter what could have been forever, the long family dinner finally came to an end. Ashley couldn’t believe they had spent over an hour just eating. Everything felt so surreal. The dinner had been filled with Damon’s stories, including how he had managed to win Victoria over and make her fall in love with him. Victoria had smiled throughout the story, occasionally rolling her eyes at her husband’s exaggerated version of events. But the teasing didn’t end there. Hannah had kept everyone entertained with her playful comments, while Sophie’s soft laughter had filled the dining room throughout the entire meal. It felt so good seeing her little girl smile and laugh like this. To sit there as part of this family and watch the Hales treat both her and Sophie as though they had always belonged was overwhelming in a way Ashley couldn’t quite explain. “Well, since we’re done with dinner, Ashley and I will be leaving first.” Jamal announced once they finished eating and rose on hi
After what could have been forever, the long family dinner finally came to an end. Ashley couldn’t believe they had spent over an hour just eating. Everything felt so surreal. The dinner had been filled with Damon’s stories, including how he had managed to win Victoria over and make her fall in love with him. Victoria had smiled throughout the story, occasionally rolling her eyes at her husband’s exaggerated version of events. But the teasing didn’t end there. Hannah had kept everyone entertained with her playful comments, while Sophie’s soft laughter had filled the dining room throughout the entire meal. It felt so good seeing her little girl smile and laugh like this. To sit there as part of this family and watch the Hales treat both her and Sophie as though they had always belonged was overwhelming in a way Ashley couldn’t quite explain. “Well, since we’re done with dinner, Ashley and I will be leaving first.” Jamal announced once they finished eating and rose on his feet,
After what could have been forever, the long family dinner finally came to an end.Ashley couldn’t believe they had spent over an hour just eating. Everything felt so surreal. The dinner had been filled with Damon’s stories, including how he had managed to win Victoria over and make her fall in love with him. Victoria had smiled throughout the story, occasionally rolling her eyes at her husband’s exaggerated version of events.But the teasing didn’t end there.Hannah had kept everyone entertained with her playful comments, while Sophie’s soft laughter had filled the dining room throughout the entire meal.It felt so good seeing her little girl smile and laugh like this. To sit there as part of this family and watch the Hales treat both her and Sophie as though they had always belonged was overwhelming in a way Ashley couldn’t quite explain.“Well, since we’re done with dinner, Ashley and I will be leaving first.” Jamal announced once they finished eating and rose on his feet, alread
The Hale dining hall had never felt so alive.The long table stretched nearly the length of the room.Silverware glistened under the chandeliers, crystal glasses sparkled with expensive scottish wine, and the smell of roasted lamp, garlic butter shrimp, and buttery mashed potatoes floated in the air.But the true warmth came not from the food, nor from the glittering decor, but from the laughter.Ashley sat between Jamal and Hannah, watching in awe as the family engaged in lighthearted conversations around her.She had walked into the dinner with nerves balled tightly in her stomach, though she had done a good job of hiding them. She had braced herself for judgment and coldness, but instead, she found herself surrounded by laughter, teasing, and affection that felt almost overwhelming.At the head of the table, Victoria sat in her husband’s usual seat as if she were the head of the family.Sophie nestled firmly on her lap, her eyes sparkling with joy as though she were a prize Victori
Maria’s voice echoed through the silence, shattering the peaceful moment. “Are you kidding me!” she barked, her voice cold as ice. “How is that girl calling you grandma? She’s not even a Hale for fuck sake!”She turned to Jamal, her voice rising with every word. “What’s wrong with you, Jamal? That girl isn’t your child, so how can you accept her so easily?” she paused, her eyes drifting towards Ashley. “This woman has been married before, and yet you still want to go ahead and marry her? Even though she already has a child? How can you be so foolish? Is this how your mother raised you?”Jamal’s eyes narrowed coldly, his hands curling into fist at his sides. “Watch your damn mouth, Aunt Maria, or I swear I’ll be forced to act against you.”Maria’s face twisted into rage. She turned towards Damon. “Brother! Did you hear the way your son just spoke to me? How dare he? Does he think he can talk to me however he wants just because he’s the Ceo of Hale conglomerates?”But to Maria’s shock,
Jamal smiled behind her, gently resting his hands on her shoulders as he leaned closer and whispered, “You’re in luck, babe. You’re about to witness something far better than watching Netflix.”Before she could dwell on it further, Hannah’s voice cut through the room. “Oh no, here it comes. You’re in luck sis, you’re about to see firsthand what happens when Mom goes on a killing spree.”The snide relatives, especially the woman who had started the entire confrontation, were no longer laughing.Maria’s smug expression had completely disappeared, replaced by beads of sweat and darting eyes. She knew the legend of Victoria’s baseball bat.Everyone in the Hale family did. Once Victoria summoned that bat, no one was safe.Damon smiled calmly as he took a leisurely sip of his wine, his eyes settling on his sister. “Maria, you should’ve just kept your mouth shut. Now you’ve made her even angrier than I’ve managed to in the last ten years of our marriage. If you know what is good for you, you







