Adopted to Biological? Keep Your Golden Child Scapegoat Out novel Chapter 16

Chapter 6

The wind in Virginia carried dust-nothing like the humid breeze back in North Carolina.

I stepped out of the airport, about to call my mother, when a steady voice suddenly rang out.

“Avelaine?”

I turned and found myself looking into a pair of deep, piercing eyes.

Frederic Spencer stood not far away, tall and imposing in his uniform-commanding yet somehow warm.

“Your parents got called away on a mission last minute. They asked me to pick you up.”

He naturally took my tactical pack from me, his other hand gently taking mine. The warmth of his palm chased away the lingering cold around me.

Once we were in the car, Frederic handed me a military-issue thermos.

“You must be thirsty. Have some tea-warm yourself up.”

I opened the thermos, and a familiar scent hit me instantly-

It was the exact same tea I loved from that shop back in North Carolina.

“Your mother mentioned you always drink this. I figured you might get homesick, so I had the mess hall learn how to make it. Try it-see if it tastes right.”

I took a sip. The rich sweetness spread across my tongue, and warmth flooded my chest.

Suddenly, I remembered years ago at a joint military social event-I’d approached Frederic to talk.

Back then, he was already a rising star in SEAL Team Six.

And now, he remembered my preferences this clearly.

“You don’t have to be so formal around me.”

Frederic noticed me studying him and spoke first. “I remember when you were little-you were so lively. Always chattering away.”

I froze. So he hadn’t forgotten after all.

“Avelaine, I wouldn’t marry a woman I didn’t know. I agreed to this contract marriage because it’s you.”

Her voice broke as she forced out her questions.

“You don’t like me? How is that possible? Then why did you hug me? Why did you leave Avelaine on your anniversary to take me to the hospital? Why did you push her to the ground for me?”

With every accusation she uttered, Kaelan’s regret deepened.

He closed his eyes, struggling to hold himself together, but his voice remained firm.

“I’ll say it AGAIN. Avelaine is the only person I love!”

With that, he turned and headed straight for the military airfield.

Betsy watched his retreating figure. Suddenly, she laughed-soft at first, then trembling. Tears rolled freely down her cheeks.

“You let me stay by your side all these years. You kissed me. And now you’re saying you only pitied me? That you only love Avelaine Campbell?”

The shattered look in Betsy’s eyes faded, replaced by overwhelming hatred and obsession.

“No. You just haven’t seen Avelaine’s true face yet. I’m the only one who truly loves you!”