Chapter 526
After all, the Hamiltons had raised her as their own daughter–there was real history there, real affection.
“But that’s still so unfair to you,” Ethan said, frustration clear in his voice. She’d been through too much because of all this.
“Ruby already admitted she acted alone. At this point, it’s not about what’s fair,” Arabella replied calmly. “Besides, if Mom and Dad are happy, that’s what matters.”
“You’re way too forgiving,” Ethan sighed, shaking his head.
A knock sounded at the door before Frank stepped inside.
“Did Naomi leave?” Ethan asked.
“Not yet. She’s downstairs having some fruit with Mom and Dad,” Frank said.
“She’s probably staying over tonight, then.” It was already pretty late, and she hadn’t made a
move to go.
Frank nodded. “Most likely. You know Mom always keeps her room ready anyway.”
“Then why doesn’t she just move back in?” Ethan wondered.
“She’s the one who chose to leave. Coming back now–at least for a while–would feel awkward for her,” Frank reasoned.
“So, you stuck around. Hear anything useful?” Ethan pressed.
Frank shook his head. “Not really. They were just talking about old times, memories from when she was little.”
“Guess she’s really shaken up this time,” Ethan remarked. “Maybe that’s for the best. At least she knows she crossed a line. Better now than letting things go too far.”
“We’ll see how she acts from here on out,” Frank said.
Arabella watched her two brothers worrying over her and couldn’t help but smile. “Relax, guys. I can handle this. You should trust me a little more.”
“We do trust you,” Frank said seriously. “We just don’t want you constantly cleaning up messes -especially when it’s family causing them.” That stung more than if it were strangers.
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“They’re not my family,” Arabella said gently but firmly. “My family is Mom, Dad, my brothers -and Grandma, Grandpa, Uncle, and Aunt too.” As for Naomi and Ruby, she wanted no part of them.
Ethan added meaningfully, “And Edward.”
Arabella paused, then laughed softly. “Ethan knows me too well.”
“Of course I do,” Ethan said, looking pleased with himself.
Arabella played along. “Well, you are Doranor City’s investment genius. Sharp mind comes with the territory.”
“See? Arabella gets it. She knows how to give a real compliment,” Ethan boasted lightly.
Frank shot him a look. “Don’t let it go to your head.”
“You’re just jealous she complimented me and not you,” Ethan fired back.
Frank rolled his eyes. “Oh yeah, I’m totally jealous, Mr. Investment Genius.”
Seeing her brothers bicker like this made Arabella grin from ear to ear.
Frank glanced at her, warmth in his eyes. “I’m just glad Ruby and Naomi aren’t getting under your skin.”
“Don’t worry about me,” Arabella assured him. “I’ve been through worse.”
She’d survived betrayal by the people who once called themselves her parents. Two people she didn’t even care about were nothing in comparison.
“If anything comes up, come to us. We’ve got your back,” Ethan said firmly.
“Okay,” Arabella agreed, dragging the word out in a slightly playful, affectionate tone.
Frank and Ethan both smiled warmly at her. She was, and always would be, their most precious sister.
“Frank, Ethan, it’s getting late. You two should head to bed,” Arabella suggested.
“Alright,” they replied in unison before leaving the room.
Arabella took a quick shower and settled in for the night.
Lying in bed, she stared up at the ceiling.
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Almost without realizing it, her thoughts drifted to Matthew.
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“If I agree to work with Horizon Corp, we’ll be seeing a lot more of each other. Someone as sharp as Matthew… would he eventually figure out that Colton isn’t really Tylin?”
That was the only thing holding her back now.
“But turning this down… the project is seriously tempting.”
She already had a concept in mind–a designer collaboration collection. It would draw more attention to the Tylin Design Studio name and really put it on the map.
“Maybe I should just say yes. I’ll just have to be extra careful from now on.
“But Matthew… he’s just too observant. Too dangerous to underestimate.”
Arabella wrestled with the decision. She’d never felt this torn about anything before…
The next morning, sunlight streamed through the windows.
Arabella got up, washed up quickly, threw on some comfortable clothes, and headed downstairs.
Frank and Ethan were already at the table. Only Naomi was missing.
“Where’s Naomi?” Arabella asked.
“She said she had some things to take care of and left early this morning,” Florence explained.
So Naomi had stayed over after all.
“Mom, if she misses being home, you should let her come back,” Arabella said gently. She knew Florence missed having Naomi around.
“I did bring it up, but she said she’s settled into her apartment and likes the independence. She promised to visit often, so I didn’t push it,” Florence replied.
“Oh,” Arabella murmured, leaving it at that.
“Arabella, about what happened with Naomi…” Jonathan began, his tone careful. “She told us she knows she was in the wrong. She shouldn’t have listened to Ruby or helped her hide the truth. She said she never thought Ruby would go so far as to fake evidence to hurt you. She feels terrible about it.”
Florence brought out a small, neatly wrapped box. “Naomi asked me to give this to you. It’s a
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gift–an apology. She hopes you can forgive her.”