Betrayed by Blood: My Second Life as a Queen novel Chapter 19

Stepping into the Shaw Estate's living room, she found Julian and Xavier waiting. Tessa sat nestled between them, a plate of freshly peeled strawberries resting in front of her.

Since she was seven, the year Tessa was adopted, Willow hadn't tasted a single strawberry in this house.

Because Tessa loved them, there were never any left for her.

Masking the irony in her eyes, Willow asked evenly, "Where's the bracelet?"

Xavier's face hardened. "Why are you so greedy? You cause a massive public scandal, refuse to offer a single word of apology, and the second you walk through the door, you demand the bracelet? How did I end up with such a vindictive sister?"

The relentless accusations sent a dull ache through Willow's chest. It wasn't because she still cared, but rather a lingering reflex of her own body.

For the past thirteen years, if she made a single mistake or said the wrong thing, Xavier would verbally tear her to shreds.

When she was younger and naive, she truly believed she was just fundamentally flawed, working herself to the bone to earn their approval. Now, it was glaringly obvious. They were just aggressively biased, using every opportunity to prove their devotion to Tessa.

She let out a scoff. "That's an heirloom my mother left for me. I'm here to collect my own property, and you call that greedy?"

Tessa put down her strawberry and spoke up timidly. "Willow, you're part of this family too. There's no need to draw such strict lines, is there? You're going to hurt their feelings. Besides, you're the one in the wrong this time. Apologizing is the right thing to do. Can't you appreciate how much they care about you?"

Willow burst out laughing, as if she had just heard the most ridiculous joke on earth. "I'm in the wrong? So what you're saying is, when you decided you wanted my fiancé, I should have just handed him over without a fuss. When you dragged my reputation through the mud, I should have just nodded and taken the blame? Really? Standing up for myself makes me the bad guy? By your twisted logic, you're the worst one here! If you hadn't shamelessly forced Elias to marry you, none of this would be happening!"

Tessa's sweet, understanding smile completely shattered. Her fingers trembled, leaving her entirely unsure of how to react.

Julian's brow furrowed sharply. "Willow! Stop acting like a victim! You owe Tessa so much in this life. It's just a fiancé—so what if you give him to her?"

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