The Returned Heiress Who Never Fit In novel Chapter 844

844 Falvaria’s Still on Fire

Tessa continued, “Anyway, just be careful how you deal with this; it all sounds like such a mess!”

“Falvaria’s always been a mess,” Stella said simply.

Tessa fell silent.

That one line hit her right in the chest.

She suddenly remembered back when Stella had been in Rivermount–every time she mentioned Falvaria, she’d sigh and shake her head.

Stella could be fierce with the Reed family and cold as ice toward Ethan, but when it came to Falvaria… she was nothing but resigned.

It was as if that chaos had rotted from the roots up–something too deep and tangled to cleanly cut away.

Tessa sighed. “My life’s a mess too right now.”

Unlike Stella, Tessa had always lived in peace back in Rivermount.

But now, everything was falling apart.

Before one problem was even settled, another would crash right in.

“Don’t worry,” Stella said. “Victor’s with you.”

“My mom just called,” Tessa replied quietly. “She told me Dale isn’t my father.”

Stella froze. Not her father?

“What?”

“She didn’t sound angry,” Tessa explained. “It wasn’t a rant–it felt like she was just telling me the truth.”

Stella blinked. “Then who is your father?”

“I asked. She didn’t say. Just hung up.”

“Ugh, this is such a mess.” Tessa’s voice was tired.

“At least she called,” Stella said, “That means your mom’s fine, doesn’t it?”

“She’s fine,” Tessa said. “Sounded full of energy when she was yelling about those people–trust me, she’s

not the one in trouble.”

Stella couldn’t help but laugh.

“Well, that’s good news.”

Tessa had been worried sick about Diana; hearing she was safe was a relief.

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10:00 pm

Chapter 844 Falvaria’s Still on Fire

H

Finished

“This whole thing’s just wild,” Tessa muttered. “Dale’s not my father–what am I even supposed to think

about that?”

What indeed? Things had already been complicated enough, and now this revelation had completely scrambled her brain.

Stella said calmly, “Why overthink it? If he’s not, he’s not. You’d rather he was?”

“Of course not!”

Just the thought made her shudder. Dale’s reputation alone was enough to make her pity his other kids.

He fathered children he didn’t raise, didn’t claim, didn’t even care about. What kind of karma do you need to end up with a father like that?

Now that her mom had told her he wasn’t her father, Tessa couldn’t be happier.

“It’s just… so confusing,” she sighed.

Her head was spinning from everything happening at once.

“Then let it be confusing,” Stella said. “You don’t have to get involved; just stay out of it and watch.”

“I can’t get involved even if I wanted to.”

Stella went quiet.

“Victor and the others have been ruthless lately,” Tessa said. “And Marie, and Mr. Derrick too.”

The

way they’d been going after the Ashen Pact–brutal didn’t even begin to cover it.

Just watching from the sidelines, Tessa could tell they were tearing the organization apart. Maybe it’s a blessing Dale’s not my father; I can actually enjoy this without any guilt.

“It’s just that Dale doesn’t want to acknowledge me as his daughter,” she added, “but he still acts like I am.”

“So he’s planning to come find you?” Stella asked.

“Exactly. He wants to use me to fix the mess with the Ashen Pact. But who does he think I am?”

“Hey,” Stella said gently. “Don’t put yourself down like that.”

You’re important–to Victor, especially. She thought.

“That’s not what I meant,” Tessa said quickly. “I just mean… compared to everything Marie and Mr. Derrick took, he actually believes I could somehow make them give it all back.”

“That’s impossible,” Stella said flatly.

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