Chapter 31
I smirked, waving my phone.
“Perfect timing – Grandpa just pulled up. Let’s see what this is really all about p>
Right on cue, we heard a car door slam outside.
Lily grinned at me smugly. “Grandpa’s here! You’re so screwed now p>
As footsteps approached, Carol and Lily rushed to the front again.
“Dad, you’re finally here! Your own daughter’s been getting bullied to death p>
“Grandpa, I missed you so much! After all these years, I finally get to see you p>
Grandpa’s face was stone–cold from the moment he walked in. The two women practically tackled him, making him stumble backward.
“Don’t try pulling this family crap on me p>
Carol went right back to her playbook, shoving the paternity test at him like it was the Holy Grail.
“Dad, you’re really my father! Pearl is just some switched–at–birth fake p>
Grandpa stared at that report like it might bite him, flipping to the last page. His face went white.
The whole room held its breath. Only Uncle Dave muttered, “It’s just two lines of text – why’s he taking so long? ”
Mom pressed her lips together, looking determined. “Aria, don’t worry. Even if we’re not blood relatives, I’ll still take care of you p>
I couldn’t help laughing, catching Grandma’s eye.
“ Don’t worry, Mom. That’s not going to happen p>
But Carol and Lily looked like they’d already won the lottery, smirking at us with fake sweetness.
“What’s there left to say? Stop fighting the inevitable p>
“I know you’re attached to the rich life, but what’s not yours was never yours. Walk away now while you still can p>
“My dad’s here – nobody’s pulling any tricks now p>
Lily crossed her arms, chin in the air.
“Exactly! I’m the Hartwell heir. I’m being generous not making you pay back forty years of expenses p>
“From now on, you two aren’t Hartwells anymore. Time to get out of MY house.” The rightful source is
They were practically glowing with triumph, noses in the air, completely confident.
But my uncles still kept their mouths shut, trying to stay invisible, Grandma hadn’t said a word.
And I just looked at them with pity.
The next second, Grandpa snapped to attention, his eyes going wide.
He threw down the report and rushed toward us, nearly tripping over himself.
“Honey, you have to believe me
I never cheated on you p>
Now Carol stared at him in confusion.
00:13
1 Came Back Cold. But I’m the One Burning Them Down
Chapter 4
“Dad, what are you talking about? I’m your and Mom’s daughter who got switched at birth
But Grandpa pointed right at her and spat
“What kind of con artist is this, trying to ruin my reputation? I’m almost eighty years old and I’ve NEVER had a daughter!
Everyone froze.
Uncle Dave’s eyes went wide. “Never had a daughter? Then where did Pearl come from p>
Mom looked like she might faint. “Wait – am I actually adopted p>
Grandma cleared her throat. “Pearl is definitely our blood p>
“We weren’t planning to tell you kids about this. I only mentioned it to Aria recently p>
With Carol staring in horror, Grandma said the words that completely destroyed her little fantasy.
Chapter 3
Cha
Sara Lili
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.