The King Of War Returns (Jaden Rift) novel Chapter 177

Both Vane and Nora stared at their daughter like she had just lost her mind.

“Selena, what the hell are you saying?” Nora's voice shook with disbelief and anger.

“Mum, I’m not crazy,” Selena said, steady and clear. “I know exactly what I’m doing.”

She glanced at the hallway, where Mia stood holding her stuffed rabbit tight to her chest.

“She’s not a baby anymore. She's starting to understand everything. She needs her father. Even if it's just for a while, let him stay. Please.”

Nora opened her mouth to argue again, but Vane raised a hand.

He looked at his daughter, then at Mia—who was watching them with wide, tear-filled eyes, too afraid to speak.

Vane exhaled slowly. His back slumped as he stared at the floor in silence.

He hated the thought of letting that man stay under their roof. He didn’t believe a word of Jaden’s story, and frankly, he didn’t think he had the spine to step up and be a father. But Mia’s small, trembling figure gnawed at his heart.

She was just a child.

And Selena… she'd never begged for anything in her life. But now, her voice was low. Shaky. Pleading.

Finally, he muttered, “Fine. He can stay. For now.”

The words dropped like a bomb in the room.

Nora gasped, a sharp sound of betrayal, and spun toward him. “You can’t be serious!”

“Nora—” he started.

But she was already turning, her face twisted with fury and humiliation. She stormed off, slamming their bedroom door so hard the walls shook. A muffled cry followed. Then more. Sobs. Loud, broken sobs that filled the silence in the living room like a funeral bell.

Dinner was awkward. Heavy.

Nora didn’t come out. Vane barely touched his food. He just stared blankly at the plate before scooping up a bit and walking away to his room without a word.

That left Jaden, Selena, and Mia at the table.

Selena picked at her food in silence. She glanced across the table at Jaden, who had barely spoken since the confrontation.

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