Larissa Judson and Haskell Palmer novel Chapter 623

A heavy sigh came from the other end of the line.

“Leopold, you know she doesn’t want anything to do with you. Why would you subject yourself to that? Your presence won’t make her happy. It will only upset her.”

“I know… but I just want to wish her a happy birthday in person. It kills me to think that for twenty years, I never once celebrated with her, and when she finally came home, I treated her so horribly because of Honora.” Leopold’s voice cracked. “I just want to give her my best wishes. I won’t cause any trouble.”

There was a long silence before Kiernan spoke again. “I’ll ask her. But if she says no, that’s the end of it. You should focus on your music and stop fixating on Larissa.”

“Okay. Thank you, Grandpa.” A flicker of hope ignited within him.

Kiernan sighed again. “It always comes to this. If only you had listened from the start. I told you when Larissa first came back that she was your real sister, but you all had to make things unbearable before you saw the truth.”

Leopold was silent, shame washing over him.

“If I wasn’t an old man who can’t bear to see the Judson family fall apart before I die, I would never have forgiven your father,” Kiernan continued sternly. “He hired men to kidnap your aunt Sapphira and tried to seize the family fortune right in front of me. The fact that Larissa was willing to cure Finley was an act of immense kindness. Don’t ask for anything more.”

“I know, Grandpa. We let Larissa down, and we let you down.”

“Just wait for my call,” Kiernan said, then hung up.

...

Caught off guard by her response, Kiernan paused for a moment before bursting into laughter. “Haha, you little rascal. No point in being subtle with you, is there?”

“So, what is it?” Larissa asked, already knowing the answer but asking out of respect.

Kiernan’s expression grew serious. “I just wanted to confirm… are you certain you don’t want to invite your uncle Paxton and his family to your birthday party?”

From the kitchen, Sapphira, who had been slicing fruit, paused at the sound of his question.

Larissa didn’t hesitate. “Yes, Grandpa, I’m certain. This is my first birthday at home, my first birthday with my parents. I want it to be a happy day. Surely you want me to be happy on my first birthday back with the Judson family, don’t you? I won’t let Paxton and his family ruin it.”