Chapter 13
Meanwhile, Renee Callahan was abroad,
The morning light streamed through the floor–to–ceiling windows, flooding into the room as she slowly woke up in the lavish, princess–style canopy bed, stretching with a relaxed, sleepy
grace.
She was no longer Scarlett. She’d gone back to her birth name.
A week had passed since her reunion with her biological parents, Dwight Callahan and Celine Hatherly. Now, she stood as the eldest daughter of the wealthlest family in the country–the Callahans.
The soft chime of the bedside bellechoed through the room, followed by the sound of brisk, purposeful footsteps drawing near from the hallway.
A line of housekeepers entered, pushing rolling racks loaded with haute couture gowns, dresses, shoes, and jewelry. The display was like a private fashion show set up just for her.
“Ms. Callahan, what would you like to wear today?” the head housekeeper asked with a smile, her voice soft and full of respect.
Renee rubbed her eyes, her gaze wandering over the racks of clothing before coming to rest on a delicate lavender lace
gown.
She motioned toward it and spoke quietly, “This one, please.”
The housekeepers moved swiftly, assisting her into the gown and pairing it with diamond- studded heels and a beautiful pearl necklace.
Renee caught her reflection in the mirror, her features flawless, her presence graceful, as though she had walked straight out of a fairy tale.
As she made her way down the stairs, the sharp tones of a heated argument drifted up to meet
her.
“Renee’s going to love the breakfast I’ve prepared! I made sure to learn some Caelerian recipes. She used to be crazy about bacon cheddar rolls when she was younger!” said Celine, her voice filled with pride.
“You really think your rolls can compete with my Falrenian croissants? Renee’s been in Caeleria for so long. ‘She’s probably craving something new by now!” Dwight shot back, hist voice dripping with confidence.
“Mom, Dad, can you two give it a rest?”
Eamon sighed, rubbing his forehead as he gestured toward the table, overflowing with more breakfast dishes than anyone could finish.
“The chefs whipped up all this because you couldn’t stop making demands. And now you’ve piled your own stuff on top of it. Are you trying to stuff Renee, or what?” he muttered.
Dwight and Celine glared at him, their voices merging. “And what about you? Have you seen all the food you’ve prepared?
Eamon shrugged, his voice carrying a hint of affection. “I’ve spent years perfecting my cooking just so I could make meals for Renee of course, I’m going to take a little pride in it.”
Celine couldn’t suppress a laugh, her voice light as she teased, “If you’re that attached to Renee, you might scare off anyone who’d ever consider marrying you.”
Eamon raised an eyebrow, his tone casual. “How would you know if I’m even interested in getting married? I’m perfectly content spoiling Renee for the rest of my life.”
Renee stood at the bottom of the stairs, watching them, a gentle warmth blooming in her chest. For the past week, it had been as though she were living in a dream come true.
Dwight, Celine, and Eamon had showered her with so much love. It felt as though they were making up for every moment she’d lost.
Dwight made it a point to sit with her every day asking about her favorite things, and what she wanted from life. Celine carefully selected clothes and jewelry for Renee, as though she
were set on giving her the finest the world had to offer.
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