Goodbye Saintess (by Edelweiss W.S.) novel Chapter 196

**The Unseen Kingdom That Followed Me Into Every Dream by Alyndra Meron Valeen 196**

**Chapter 196**

In the midst of this chaotic whirlwind, I couldn’t help but feel that the true victim here was none other than myself!

“Believe me, I totally understand what you’re feeling,” I reassured Claire, my voice steady and imbued with sincerity.

Yet, Claire seemed unfazed, her eyes betraying a deeper turmoil.

“Nah, it’s alright. That was ages ago,” she replied, her voice tinged with a casual shrug. “I was really close to Grandma when I was little, which is the only reason I’m even here today. Honestly, I wouldn’t have bothered if it weren’t for her.”

A faint smile flickered across her lips, but it didn’t quite reach her eyes, which held a storm of conflicting emotions.

As we approached the McKay residence, I racked my brain, trying to pull up any semblance of memory regarding the McKay Group. Strangely, nothing surfaced. Despite my knack for remembering every corporation and business entity that had ever crossed my path since my college days, this one was a complete blank.

It dawned on me then: the McKay Group was likely a minor player in the grand scheme of things, utterly forgettable even among its peers. They were so dull that they might as well have been figments of my imagination.

My suspicions were confirmed upon our arrival. The McKays didn’t boast an extravagant estate; their home was modest, comparable to the villa that Hera and I shared. I couldn’t help but think that their business barely held a candle to Edge Inc.

“Alright, we’ve arrived,” I announced, bringing the car to a halt at the entrance gate, the crunch of gravel beneath the tires marking our arrival.

Just as I was about to step out, I caught sight of Claire’s face, a mixture of disbelief and simmering anger etched across her features.

“Why on earth is she here too?!” she hissed under her breath, her frown deepening and her body tensing like a coiled spring.

Her brows knitted tightly together as she focused on a middle-aged woman draped in designer labels, exuding an air of unwarranted confidence that was almost palpable.

I followed her gaze, curiosity piqued. “Who is that? The one who came between your mom and dad?”

Having weathered my own share of betrayals, I felt a visceral aversion to anyone who dared to intrude upon established relationships.

“It’s her,” Claire said, her fists clenched so tightly that her knuckles turned white, as if bracing for an impending storm. “Grandma can’t stand her, which is why she usually skips Grandma’s birthdays. But today… I don’t know why she’s here. Look at her, strutting around as if she owns the place! If she’s here… Oh God, she’s going to make my life a living hell, isn’t she?”

Anxiety dripped from her words, her voice barely above a whisper. “What am I supposed to do? I don’t want to create a scene on Grandma’s birthday—”

“What is this?! Is this how you address Charice? Has your mother never taught you any manners?” he bellowed, his voice booming with an unmistakable sense of entitlement.

I frowned, feeling the tension in the air thicken like a storm cloud about to burst.

“How dare you speak ill of my mom, Cecil!” Claire shot back, her anger igniting like a flame in a dry forest. “At least she’s never had an affair!”

The atmosphere crackled with unspoken words and unresolved conflicts, each moment stretching out like a taut string ready to snap at any second.

In the aftermath of the confrontation, the air hung heavy with unresolved tension, yet within Claire, a flicker of resilience ignited. The weight of years spent in silence and suffering began to lift as she stood her ground against the very specter of her past that had haunted her family. Sebastian’s unwavering support became the anchor she desperately needed, reminding her that she was not alone in this battle. The tears that shimmered in her eyes transformed into a testament of her strength, a quiet acknowledgment that she could reclaim her narrative and confront the shadows that threatened to overshadow her family’s legacy. As she faced the middle-aged woman and her father, Claire realized that she had the power to define her own worth, and in that realization, a newfound courage surged within her.

Sebastian, too, felt the shift in the atmosphere, a palpable change that signaled the beginning of healing for both of them. He had entered this tumultuous situation as a protector, but now he found himself witnessing Claire’s transformation into someone unafraid to voice her truth. The unseen kingdom of shared pain and resilience that had followed them into every dream was finally being acknowledged, and in that moment, it felt as though they were both stepping into a brighter future. The echoes of their pasts would always be present, but together, they had forged a bond that promised strength and solidarity. With hearts aligned and spirits unyielding, they stood ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead, knowing that they had each other to lean on when the world felt overwhelming.

**What to Expect in the Next Chapter?**

As the tension escalates within the McKay household, readers can anticipate a dramatic confrontation that will unravel buried secrets and long-held grudges. Claire’s fierce loyalty to her mother is put to the test as she stands against the very people who have intruded upon her family’s life. With the stakes higher than ever, Claire’s emotional resilience will be challenged, forcing her to confront not only her past but also the complex dynamics of her family. Will she find the strength to stand her ground, or will the weight of her family’s history crush her spirit?

Meanwhile, Sebastian’s protective instincts will be pushed to their limits as he navigates the treacherous waters of familial conflict. His resolve to shield Claire from the venomous barbs of the McKays will lead to unexpected alliances and revelations that could change everything. As the façade of civility crumbles, secrets long hidden in the shadows will begin to surface, revealing the true nature of the relationships at play. Will Sebastian’s presence be enough to keep Claire grounded, or will the chaos of the McKay family threaten to pull them both under? Readers will be left on the edge of their seats, eager to uncover the truth behind the unseen kingdom that has followed Claire into her dreams.