All Chapters of The Succession Gala They Forgot Was Mine Too: Chapter 1 - Chapter 9

The gala had barely ended when my parents hurriedly sent Beth off to Naples, saying they wanted her to settle in before taking up her new post.Before they left, my mother carefully checked everything off a list with the household staff.Besides clothes, jewelry, and toiletries, they had bought her piles of brand-new things. They had even bought her a fully staffed villa in Naples to make sure she would be comfortable.The hall was so packed with her belongings that there was barely room to walk. I stood in a corner with my backpack over my shoulder.My mother brushed past me. "Don't just stand there. Move. Your sister might forget something because of you."I didn't say anything.After more than twenty years, everything I owned still fit in a single backpack."Can the driver take me first? My flight leaves at two."My mother acted as though she hadn't heard me. She continued checking Beth's makeup."You have dinners to attend and important people to meet as soon as you arrive. Book a

After the doctor left, my assistant asked, "Why didn't you tell anyone you were sick?""I'm used to it."I would've been fine. I'd always slept off my colds before.She looked surprised but didn't press the issue."Your parents will worry if they find out. Call them and let them know you're okay.""They're busy. They went to Naples with my sister for her new assignment.""What's she doing in Naples?""Running the family weapons operation."Surprise crossed my assistant's face again.She hesitated, then said, "One day, you can too."I knew what she meant.One day, I could be where Beth was.Just not yet.I said nothing more and went to sleep. When I woke up in the middle of the night, dozens of messages were waiting in the family group chat.Don Dominic Turner had praised Beth soon after she took over the weapons operation.My mother was thrilled. She had sent more than a dozen voice messages, reminding Beth to be careful and always have bodyguards with her.She also told Beth to get en

It startled all three of them.They looked at one another.Beth pressed her lips together, sweat beading on her forehead. "Monica must have blocked me."Mom snatched the phone and stared at the screen in disbelief.The message had gone through, but there was no reply.Mom called out in a trembling voice, "Call her. Right now."Dad stood and pulled out his phone, his hand trembling as he dialed.The call rang twice before Monica rejected it.He tried again, but got the same result."She won't answer me. Use your phone and ask her what's going on." His voice was shaking now too.Mom did as he said. Her face had gone pale, but she took a breath and gathered her thoughts before calling.This time, the call didn't even ring. It went straight to voicemail.Mom panicked at first. Then she remembered her last conversation with Monica and slowly calmed down."We must have said something that upset her again. She'll sulk for a couple of days and get over it. She's always been like this, never as

When Beth saw me, her eyes were red with tears.My mother looked haggard, and I spotted several new gray hairs."Monica, we've been looking everywhere for you." Beth stepped forward to take my hand, but I moved out of reach."What are you two doing here?"My mother choked back a sob. "Why did you block us?""Why else could it be?"My voice was cold.My mother's face fell. She lowered her gaze, her eyes turning red.Beth said, "Monica, it took us so long to find you. We finally asked the family and found out you'd been assigned to guard the armory. We thought you'd been there this whole time, but when we went there, they told us you'd never even reported for duty."My mother continued, "You blocked us. If Beth hadn't seen your name connected to the Turner family, we might never have found you!""Exactly, Monica. Did something happen at the armory? Tell me, and I'll make whoever hurt you pay for it. No matter what happens, you can't block us!"Beth choked out the words as tears rolled do

My father stared at me in shock, his eyes red and glistening with tears.My mother's lips trembled. She rushed forward and grabbed my arm. "It really is you. They said they saw you at the market, but I thought they were mistaken. You really are here. Why didn't you call and tell us you were here? Do you have any idea how worried we were?"My father choked out the words. "We heard about the bloodshed in the Turner family. I sent people to find you, but no one could. We thought you were already... Monica, no matter how angry you were, you should have called us!"My father's voice broke, and he couldn't finish the sentence.I clenched my hands, pressed my lips together, and said nothing.My mother's eyes filled with tears. "Beth went to Milan to look for you! You're alive. That's all that matters."She nodded as if trying to reassure herself.There it was again. As long as I was alive, that was enough.I drew a breath. "I'm fine. Still alive."That was my entire reply.My father's eyes di