Broken Vows and Buried Twins novel Chapter 53

"Hester, I know you resent us for secretly raising Caden together for the last five years. But Julian only did it because you were in such a terrible emotional state—you couldn't possibly handle taking care of a child! Julian said I was the most suitable person for the job, and I... I just wanted to share the burden for you."

Hester listened to her, finding the sheer audacity laughable. "Listening to that, am I supposed to thank you?"

Melody bit her lip and bowed her head, playing the role of a bullied victim too terrified to speak up.

Julian shot Hester a dark warning look. "There's no need to be so aggressive. Melody specifically brought Caden here to smooth things over with Grandma."

"Smooth things over?" Hester fired back, her voice dripping with venom. "Explain what, exactly? That you two lived together like a happy little family of three for five years behind my back, and behind Bella's back? Is that not the indisputable truth?"

"Hester!" Julian's face darkened with fury. "Watch your tone in front of the kid."

"I am completely unhinged right now, Julian. If you can't handle it, I can walk right out that door."

"You're being completely irrational!"

Hester stared at the man in front of her, asking herself once again: had she been completely blinded by love all those years, or was this man just a master manipulator? How could she have ever fallen for someone like him?

A bone-deep chill spread through her chest, freezing whatever tiny fragments of affection she had left.

Her voice dropped to a freezing pitch. "Julian, you emotionally blackmail me using Bella's health to force me back here to play the doting wife, while simultaneously parading your mistress and your adopted son into my house so you can play happy family. Doesn't the sheer hypocrisy make you sick to your stomach?"

Julian's expression was thunderous. He set Caden down on his feet and turned to Melody. "Keep an eye on him."

Melody sniffled dramatically, murmuring a soft agreement as she wrapped her arms around the confused and visibly anxious boy.

Julian marched toward Hester, his hand clamping down on her wrist like a vice. "You're coming upstairs with me."

"Let go of me!"

Hester fought wildly to yank her arm free, but she was no match for his brute strength. He half-dragged her up the sweeping staircase.

...

The heavy door to the master suite was shoved open with brutal force. Julian pulled Hester inside and slammed the door shut behind them.

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