The MC President's Forsaken Wife (Zara and Knox) novel Chapter 112

Chapter 68-3

“Being loving.”

“Stop it.”

“No.”

Clam

Dad’s grip tightens around mine. Mayhem sighs dramatically, but he doesn’t pull away, and for a few seconds, the three of us sit linked together across Dad’s battered desk. Exactly as we’ve been since Mom

died.

And now it’s all different, because somewhere outside the city, in a commune with possible alpacas and questionable plumbing, our sister is waiting to find out whether there’s room for her in our family.

Nobody lets go of hands immediately, but Mayhem is the first to pretend it never happened, obviously. He pulls his hand free, reaches for his coffee and takes a long drink.

“Right,” he says. “That was enough emotional vulnerability for one decade.”

Dad releases me more slowly. “You’re the one who started it.”

“I absolutely did not,” Mayhem says indignantly.

“You said we should figure out how to be a family of four.”

“That was logistics.”

I stare at him. “Family logistics?”

“Yes.”

“Very practical.”

“I’m known for that.”

Dad and I exchange a look.

Mayhem scowls. “I am.”

“Of course,” Dad says solemnly. “Sure.”

I take another sip of coffee. It’s starting to cool, but I don’t mind, and I reflect that

the three of us have spent years sitting in this office. Arguments, club business, bad news, good news, the occasional disciplinary meeting that Mayhem still insists was a misunderstanding.

But this feels different. Softer. Like we’ve stepped outside the usual shape of our family and none of us quite knows where to put our hands.

Dad keeps looking at the DNA report, finally, he folds it.

“So,” he says. “What do we tell her?”

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<Chapter 68

The truth,” I say. “That she’s your daughter. That she’s our sister.”

Dad’s gaze lifts to us. “And then?”

“Well… I guess we ask her what she wants,” I say.

Clam

The words come out surprisingly easily, maybe because of Locke. Maybe because I’m finally learning how much it matters, to be asked that very question. To be included and involved in your own life’s decisions.

Dad considers that. “What if she wants too much?”

Mayhem frowns. “What does that mean?”

Dad looks down at the folded report. For the first time since we came in, he seems uncomfortable.

My stomach sinks at the look on his hard face. “Dad?”

He clears his throat. “There’s family money.”

Mayhem and I stare at him.

“Yes,” Mayhem says slowly. “We’re aware.”

“I mean there’s quite a bit to inherit.” Dad leans back. “I have the club assets, the house, investments, all the businesses. I’ve set things aside for both of you.”

Mayhem shrugs. “So?”

Dad looks irritated. “So Willow’s my daughter – which means that she has a claim.”

I look over at Mayhem, and he stares right back at me. Then we both look back at Dad.

“Okay,” I say.

Dad’s eyebrows draw together. “Okay?”

“Yes.”

“That’s it?”

“What else am I supposed to say?”

“I don’t know.”

Mayhem leans forward. “Did you think we’d fight her for your money?”

Dad doesn’t answer, which is answer enough.

Mayhem looks offended. “I have my own money.”

“So do I,” I add. “I mean, not a lot yet, but I’m working. Saving. I do have all that cash and jewellery that Mayhem took from Knox’s safe.”

“You’re both entitled to what I’ve planned.”

“And since Willow’s your daughter,” I say. “Then she is too.”

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Chapter 68

Dad studies me carefully. “You don’t mind, sweetheart?”

“No.”

Mayhem shakes his head. “Neither do I.”-

Dad’s gaze moves between us. “thought you might feel differently.”

“Why?” I ask.

“Because it changes what you receive.”

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