Oops Wrong Girl to Bully (Angelina) by Xena Kessler novel Chapter 74

Chapter 74 *

Angelina’s POV

A man walked out of the front door, dressed in golf attire-polo shirt, khakis, expensive-looking sneakers. He was tall, about six-foot-three, with a military buzz cut and blue-gray eyes. Even in casual clothes, he moved like a soldier. His face was open and friendly, smiling broadly.

This is him. This is Derek Hayes.

Come in, come in!” he said enthusiastically. “Seriously, your skills were incredible. I’ve been in Special Forces for years, and you’re the first civilian who’s ever managed to approach me from behind without making sound and take me out. That takes real talent.”

He led me toward the house, still talking. “I meant what I said at camp-have you thought about joining us after graduation? Special Forces

could really use someone like you. Or are you here today to learn more about it?”

He wants me to join the military. He has no idea who I am.

I wanted to learn more,” I said carefully, studying his face for any sign of recognition.

There was none. He just looked pleased, like a coach who’d found a promising athlete.

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We walked into a spacious living room, and I immediately realized I’d interrupted something. There were about a dozen people scattered

around-clearly a family gathering. Some wore golf clothes like Derek, others had on designer casual wear. The kind of relaxed, expensive

clothing rich people wore on weekends.

The open kitchen had a massive marble island covered with food. A professional-quality charcuterie board with fancy meats and cheeses. Fresh

oysters and shrimp cocktail on ice. Several bottles of high-end Napa Valley wine and champagne.

CNN played quietly on the massive flat-screen TV. Through the floor-to-ceiling windows, I could see the backyard-a pristine pool, perfectly

trimmed lawn, outdoor kitchen.

On the walls hung framed military medals and family photos.

He built a life here. A comfortable, wealthy life.

A male relative holding a glass of whiskey was discussing the stock market with another man. Several women with wine glasses were talking

about private school applications for their kids. A teenager in the corner was scrolling through the latest iPhone. A golden retriever lay lazily

on a Persian rug in front of the fireplace.

Everyone stopped talking when Derek walked in with me. Conversations died mid-sentence. Several middle-aged women exchanged questioning

glances. An older woman-probably Derek’s mother, based on the resemblance-smiled politely but looked confused.

Derek gestured to me. “Everyone, this is a very talented student I met at Camp Redwood. She’s here visiting today.”

I could feel their eyes on me. Assessing. Curious. Maybe a little suspicious about why their relative had brought home a random teenage girl.

I walked calmly to a single armchair in the corner and sat down. I didn’t speak. Just observed.

Twenty-three years. If he abandoned me and my mother on purpose, today is the day he dies. I need to hear the truth from his own mouth- why didn’t he want us?

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14:21 Tue, Feb 17 BOB

Chapter 74 *

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I caught fragments of whispered conversations. The older woman-Derek’s mother-was speaking quietly to a middle-aged woman beside her.

“Poor Derek,” the mother said, her voice thick with emotion. “It’s been over twenty years since Aurora passed, and he still won’t let go. He’s been looking for their daughter all this time.”

What?

The middle-aged woman sighed. “Mom, you know we can’t bring this up when he’s around. It breaks him every time. That private investigator

called again last week. Still no leads.”

The mother’s eyes were wet. “I just want my granddaughter back. She’d be in her twenties now. If she’s even still alive. Why did God have to

test our family like this?”

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A man-Derek’s brother, maybe-spoke quietly. “The worst part is, he still blames himself. Says if he hadn’t taken down that gang leader, Aurora would still be alive and their baby girl wouldn’t be missing.”

“Twenty-three years, the mother whispered, wiping her eyes. “Twenty-three years of not knowing if your child is dead or alive. No parent should have to go through that.”

The middle-aged woman put a comforting hand on her shoulder. “Mom, please. Derek will hear you. You know he can’t handle it when you cry

about this.

My fingers dug into the armrest.

His wife is dead? The child is missing? He’s been searching for twenty-three years?

I came here ready to kill him. Ready to make him pay for abandoning us. Id rehearsed the confrontation in my head a hundred times-cold,

brutal, final.

But now everything was wrong. The pieces didn’t fit.

If he’s been looking for his daughter for twenty-three years, then he didn’t abandon her. Which means…

Derek walked back into the living room from his study, phone in hand. He immediately noticed the tension. His mother’s red eyes. The somber

expressions.

“What’s wrong?” he asked, concerned.

His mother quickly wiped her face and forced a smile. “Nothing, honey. Nothing at all.”

Derek’s eyes lingered on her, unconvinced, but he didn’t push. Instead, he turned to me and sat down across from the armchair.

*Sorry about that, had to take a work call.” He tried to lighten the mood. didn’t even ask your name. What should I call you?”

I looked directly into his eyes. Searching for any hint of deception, any sign this was an elaborate lie.

“Aria,” I said clearly. “My name is Aria.”

Derek went completely still.

The coffee mug in his hand started trembling. Color drained from his face Aria,” he repeated, voice barely a whisper. “Aria.”

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Chapter 74 *

His mother noticed immediately. “Derek? What’s wrong, honey?”

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Derek’s voice cracked. “That was the name. Aurora wanted to name our daughter Aria if it was a girl. She said it meant ‘lioness in Hebrew.

Strong and fearless.”

They chose that name for me. Atia. The same name I chose for myself when I was reborn in this body.

The room went silent. Everyone stared at Derek, then at me.

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The middle-aged woman-stood up quickly. “Derek, don’t. It’s just a coincidence. You can’t blame yourself forever. It wasn’t your fault. It was

those monsters who killed Aurora!”

“No, Derek said, his voice breaking. He covered his face with his hands. It was me…”

I watched him fall apart. This man-this strong, capable soldier-crumbling in front of his family.

He’s been carrying this guilt for twenty-three years. Thinking he killed his wife and lost his daughter. And I came here ready to kill him.

“I’m sorry,” I said quietly, standing up. “I’m just a student interested in joining Special Forces. I didn’t mean to cause any pain.”

His anguished expression broke something inside me. I didn’t know what to do with this feeling. This wasn’t what I expected. A clean, brutal massacre would have been so much easier than this tangled mess of emotions. I needed to find proof he was lying. I needed to find the deception.

I kept my voice steady, pushing forward. “What happened to your wife Aurora? And your daughter?”

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