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My Accidental Husband is a Billionaire novel Chapter 13

 

The nearly ninety-year-old woman’s skin was loose and saggy. Her once youthful features were no longer distinguishable. She lay with her wizened hand on her chest as though she could drop dead at any moment.

Taylor thought he was overthinking things.

A person of Old Mrs. Horton’s status would surely never step into a shop like this…

Worried that Isla might cause trouble with the old woman, he said to Keira sternly, “Enough! Your sister only wants what’s best for you. Isn’t making such a fuss and causing a scene here embarrassing for you?”

The old lady immediately turned to Keira. “Dear, is this your father?”

Keira averted her eyes.

The term “father” was foreign to her, and her feelings toward him were complicated.

As a child in the Olsen family, Poppy Hill wouldn’t let her get near Taylor.

The tiny child she once was used to hide in corners, stealing glances at him from afar. She watched him beam at Isla, swinging her around in his arms. His towering figure seemed godlike to her.

So, during those countless days and nights when Poppy beat her and didn’t even allow her to eat, she often daydreamed that her “father” might swoop down to rescue her from the misery, just once.

But he never did.

He never showed any concern for her. Even on the few occasions that they ran into each other, he only reminded her to “listen to your mother”.

The Olsen family dynamics were weird. Everyone seemed resigned to Poppy’s presence, but except for Mrs. Olsen, no one could accept Keira at all…

Keira didn’t respond to the old lady.

She turned her attention back to a few dresses she had just tried on, picked out the best of a bad bunch, and handed it to the sales associate, ready to pay and leave.

Seeing this, Taylor said, “I know you’re broke. Let me pay for this dress. Consider it a present for my mother-in-law.”

But Isla suddenly chimed in. “Dad, I’ve just gone around the store. This dress is the best for a gift…”

A sales associate standing nearby immediately said with a smile, “Miss, you have excellent taste. This dress is pure handmade embroidery. It’s one of a kind in all of Oceanion. Why don’t you consider something else…”

Upon hearing this, Taylor’s eyes lit up. “Let’s choose this one!”

He turned to Keira. “This dress is for your sister. You can pick another one.”

Keira’s eyes flashed with an indiscernible emotion, “Why should I?”

“Your sister is going to visit the Hortons, and this is a gift for Old Mrs. Horton!”

“So I have to give it to her?”

Taylor scolded Keira. “Can’t your husband’s grandmother just wear something else? Is she more important than Old Mrs. Horton?”

Keira remained resolute. “I’ll take this dress.”

“Can’t you be mature for once? Must you compete with your sister?!”

Keira felt it laughable. How did a dress that she had her eyes on first become a matter of her fighting with Isla over it?

Taylor continued. “How about this? I’ll give you thirty thousand dollars for the dress which is worth one thousand. Consider it as part of your dowry.”

Isla chimed in with a feigned kind-hearted voice. “Keira, you haven’t found a job after graduation. You better take Dad’s offer quickly. Don’t miss out on such a good deal just because you’re angry with me.”

In the end, Taylor threatened Keira. “If you insist on getting this dress, I’m not going to pay for you.”

True to his seasoned businessman form, he had resorted to threats and bribes to buy Isla a dress.

What a good father he was…

Keira had no desire to continue arguing with them. She was about to pay for the dress with her debit card when the old lady who had been silent until now suddenly held her hand back. “Dear, I don’t want this dress. It’s not nice.”

Keira looked at her. “Grandma, none of the others suit you either.”

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