Semua Bab They Begged for a Chance They Had Already Ruined: Bab 1 - Bab 9

I rubbed my frozen hands, sprinting through the snow to grab ingredients.Back home, I wrangled the shrimps, skin flaring in angry red welts. Fingers throbbing.Didn't matter. This was the last dinner I'd ever choke through with Dad and Ryell.By the time I dropped the garlic shrimp on the table, they were all cackling in the living room.Dad, usually stone-faced, was warm with Callie.Ryell leaned in close, telling her about his day. He took an orange from her hand. "Our little princess shouldn't be peeling fruit. You've got piano hands."Jovan came too, with his parents.They clearly wanted Callie as Jovan's mate, not me.He sat next to her like she was the only one in the room.When juice hit her lip, he wiped it with a handkerchief. Gentle. Careful. Like she might shatter.I stood there. Invisible.If Callie was in the room, I didn't exist.The living room buzzed with laughter. The dining room? Cold.Hard to believe that seat used to be mine.I was the one they once a

Finally packed.Just one suitcase—everything else? Left it behind.I scribbled a note for the maid: [Trash the rest.]Dragging my suitcase down the stairs, I froze at the corner. Voices.Dad and the others—back with Callie.They came in from the far side of the house, still clueless I was here.Their voices spilled into the hallway."Lucky you barely ate any. Just a mild allergy. If it'd been worse, I wouldn't have spared Maria.""She crossed a line. She owes you a real apology. From the heart."Callie's voice, all sweet and fake: "No need. I'm sure Maria didn't mean it."Ryell jumped in, all protective big brother. "Callie, you're too nice. Maria doesn't deserve that. Didn't you always want her garden? Make her hand it over as an apology."Dad looked like he might object—But then Callie lit up. "Really? I've always wanted to go in there, but Maria never let me."Dad smiled. Said nothing. Which said everything.A sharp stab hit my chest.They didn't care. Not even about

"Mom, seriously—I'm stuffed.""You've barely touched your plate," she frowned. "You're way too skinny. It hurts my heart. Just tell Liam what you want—he'll make it."Liam pulled Mom into a one-armed hug. "Okay, darling. I'll whip up a whole custom menu just for Maria."She looked so happy, it made my chest loosen a bit.I thought settling in would be hell, but Stormcrest Pack was really warm and solid.Mom and Liam were all-in on making me feel safe. And my stepbrother Lark? He was the kind of protective that didn't smother.After lunch, Mom nudged Lark to take me out to the amusement park. I was down—needed to get a feel for this place anyway.I rode shotgun while Lark kept pointing out every bakery like we were on some pastry pilgrimage.I laughed. "I get it. I'll try one later, okay?"Liam chuckled. "Lark's never this chatty. He must really like you—trying to bond."Lark rubbed the back of his neck, a little sheepish. "You're sweet—of course I like you. Always wanted a li

Dad stormed in like a thundercloud, eyes blazing, locked on Mom. "Alice, we had a deal—Maria's custody was mine. How dare you steal my daughter?"Ryell trailed after him, throwing Mom a wounded glare. "Dad's right. How could you hide her from us? We've been searching everywhere."Mom didn't flinch. She slapped Ryell hard across the face."You made a vow, Ryell. You swore to protect Maria. This is your idea of protection? Standing by while some outsider tore her down?"Her gaze snapped to Callie, lurking at the edge of the room."Don't think I was blind just because I wasn't there. I know everything. You don't get to touch my daughter again. She'll stay with me forever."Liam and Lark flanked me in seconds.Lark growled, "You threw Maria away—and now you've got the guts to barge in and bark at Alice? Pathetic."Liam stayed calm, but his voice hit hard. "Maria's everything—sweet, strong, full of heart. Thanks for handing me the best daughter I could've asked for. We treasure her