The True Heiress Reborn And Slays (Alicia Delaney) novel Chapter 574

Chapter 574 Trapped by Love

Chapter 574 Trapped by Love

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She knew the Blackwoods’ ways all too well. Once they set their mind on something, they followed through–no exceptions.

Frantically, she warned Elsie, “Listen to me, sweetheart-don’t go anywhere these next few days, no matter who asks. And don’t pay attention to any of the nasty gossip going around outside.”

Trying to soothe her, she even added a promise, “Once all this settles down, I’ll take you on a trip overseas -maybe to that little island you always talk about. How does that sound?”

Elsie nodded obediently, burying her face in Melissa’s shoulder. She agreed softly, but her eyes, hiddenin the shadows, were disturbingly still.

She’d already figured out what the phone call was about.

Melissa told her not to leave the house… but to carry out Aiden’s plan, she’d have to walk right into their

trap.

The next morning, Elsie put on her workout clothes as usual and said casually to Melissa, who sat at the kitchen table looking anxious, “I’m just going for a quick run downstairs, Mom. I’ve been stuck inside too long—I’ll just loop around the block a few times and come right back.”

Melissa almost stopped her, but then reconsidered. Their neighborhood was gated, with good security, and Elsie would only be right outside. It should be safe enough. She sighed and waved a hand. “Alright, go ahead. Just be careful.”

But an hour passed, then more-and Elsie still hadn’t returned.

A growing unease tightened in Melissa’s chest. She quickly dialed Elsie’s phone, but the voice that answered wasn’t her daughter’s.

“Melissa. It’s me.” Skyler’s tone was flat and cold.

Melissa’s voice rose in panic. “Where’s Elsie? What have you done with her? Did you take her?”

“Elsie is here with us, Skyler stated bluntly. “Same deal as before-if you want her to stay and avoid being sent away, come back home and sign the divorce papers.”

Even in her distress, a sliver of clarity broke through. Melissa clutched the phone tighter. “She only went out for a run. It takes over an hour to drive from our neighborhood to Blackwood Villa. How could she possibly be with you already?”

Skyler let out a short, cold laugh, his voice dripping with scorn. “A run? Melissa, you really don’t know your daughter very well, do you? She took a cab here on her own, marched right into Dad’s study, and demanded to speak to him-said she wanted to stand up for you. Went on and on about how this family was treating you terribly, how your own blood was turning their back on you when you needed them most. She worked herself up so much, Dad and Grandpa were furious. Grandpa’s blood pressure still hasn’t settled.”

He paused, his tone shifting to disgust. “You really raised quite the little drama queen. So young, and

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Chapter 574 Trapped by Love

already knows how to play the victim.”

Melissa froze. Any bitterness she felt toward her family was suddenly washed away by a wave of grainedk toward Elsie.

In her eyes, what Elsie did might have been reckless, but her heart was in the right place-everything the said was exactly what Melissa herself had been feeling.

Conveniently, she ignored all the red flags.

Why would someone who promised to stay home suddenly show up at Blackwood Villa?

How did Elsie know exactly which buttons to push?

Blinded by a mother’s love, Melissa could only focus on one thing: Elsie had been taken because she tried to protect her.

Her weak spot had been struck. Any pride or resistance left in her crumbled.

Melissa paced around the house like a trapped animal for what felt like forever, but in the end, she sank down in defeat and picked up her car keys.

She drove straight to the Blackwood family home and, under Skyler’s indifferent stare, signed her name on the divorce papers.

Each stroke of the pen felt like she was cutting away the comfortable, privileged life she’d known for over

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