The True Heiress Reborn And Slays (Alicia Delaney) novel Chapter 325

Chapter 325 Family Video Call

Chapter 325 Family Video Call

It was a FaceTime from her brother, Raymond.

Riley saw his name light up her screen, and a flicker of warmth spread softly in her chest.

+20 Free Coms

She didn’t bother going into the walk–in closet–just changed into a comfortable silk lounge set, then picked her phone back up and answered.

The moment the call connected, two familiar faces filled the display.

One was her brother Raymond, handsome and grinning; the other was her dad.

They appeared to be in a study, a wall of wooden bookshelves behind them.

“Surprise!” Raymond lifted his eyebrows toward the camera with playful exaggeration, his tone light and teasing. “Look who I’ve got with me–shocked?”

Riley let out a soft laugh. She tucked a damp strand of hair behind her ear, her voice relaxed and slightly sleepy from her shower. “Calling so late? Isn’t it even later in Nexopolis right now?”

“Well, we figured you’d be wrapping things up over there soon. Dad here insisted on planning a little welcome–back surprise–he oversaw the whole room renovation himself. But once it was done, he started worrying you might not like the style. So he sent me, his trusted messenger, to get your thoughts.”

Before Raymond could finish, Zavier Harper leaned closer to the screen, unable to wait. “That’s right, honey. I wanted to fly straight to Havenbrook to see you, but after you told Ray not to come a while back, I… didn’t want to mess up your plans.”

With his daughter–the one he’d gotten back after all those missing years–Zavier always carried a hint of caution, as if afraid to intrude.

He had so much lost time he wanted to make up for, yet he worried his eagerness might end up weighing on her.

Riley’s gaze drifted across the elegant, spacious study visible behind them in the video. Aside from her dad and brother, nobody else was around.

She glanced away slightly and replied calmly, “Dad, you really don’t have to go through all that trouble, Something simple is fine–I’m not picky.”

At an age when she should have been spoiled and doted on by her parents, she’d long since learned to handle everything on her own. She’d also stopped expecting special treatment or surprises.

Zavier seemed to pick up on something. His eyes shifted, and he hurried to explain, “Your mom… she actually wanted to join the call too, but she took your sister to an art exhibition today. They’re not back yet. How about I have her call you later when she’s home?”

His cover–up came out a bit awkward. Even Raymond off to the side pressed a palm to his forehead, sighing quietly.

1/3

001

11:38 Thu, Jun 4

Chapter 325 Family Video Call

+20 Free Coms

But Riley’s mood didn’t really shift. She gave a soft “mm,” and said, “It’s okay, don’t worry about it. Work was pretty draining today—I think I’ll just turn in early.”

She wasn’t about to call him out on his clumsy attempt to keep the peace.

Almost as if on cue, right after Zavier finished speaking, a bright, young voice floated into the study from outside the door in the video. It sounded sweet and curious. “Dad? Raymond? Who’re you talking to? You guys are being so secretive.”

It was the other young woman of the Harper family–the daughter they’d adopted all those years ago to fill her absence, Elsie.

Zavier’s face stiffened instantly. Even through the screen, the awkwardness and guilt of being caught in lie were plain to see.

He stumbled over his words toward the camera, “Alright, Riley–you get some good rest,” and then quickly ended the video call.

The screen went black, reflecting Riley’s composed, slightly cool expression.

She stared at it for a few seconds, then let out a quiet, humorless laugh.

Honestly, it didn’t bother her all that much.

Even though Raymond and Zavier kept making excuses to keep things smooth at home–like why her mom never reached out on her own–after so many times, Riley saw right through it.

That woman who was her mother in name… her feelings toward the real daughter who’d suddenly reappeared were probably so tangled not even she could sort them out.

Maybe it was guilt, maybe discomfort. But more than anything, Riley’s existence had likely shaken the balance of that household–the one that had existed for over twenty years. She’d dimmed the spotlight on the accomplished adopted daughter they were so proud of, who was no longer the only one.

But so what?

That brief check–in with her family had also cleared away the gloomy cloud that had settled over Riley after the whole Ashford family drama.

At least in this world, there were still people who genuinely wanted her to come home.

That was enough.

Riley set her phone down, feeling a calm she hadn’t known in a while.

*****

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify