Twin Cupids at Work Daddy Come Home novel Chapter 666

Julian handed Madeline the toothbrush, already loaded with toothpaste.

He’d wanted to tease her a little more, but just looking at her now, he could tell she was completely strung out. If he kept it up, she’d probably die of embarrassment.

“You go ahead and freshen up. I’ll grab you a jacket.” His eyes flicked down to her bare feet and he frowned.

Julian stepped out of the bathroom, picking up a jacket and Madeline’s house slippers as he passed by Shelly and Ray, who both watched with quiet interest.

Shelly stood up. “Madeline’s getting ready, right? I’ll go in and help her. It’s easier for me, trust me.”

Julian’s reply was calm, almost indifferent. “No need. She still needs her eye drops, I can take care of it.”

Shelly understood this was as polite as Julian ever got with her, and only because of Madeline. Without that connection, he wouldn’t even pretend to care.

Ray reached out and gently pulled Shelly back down beside him. “He’s her husband. Let him take responsibility.”

Shelly’s eyes flashed. “He’s ten times the husband you ever were.”

Ray gave a cold little laugh. “Right. In your eyes, I’m not as good as anyone else. Not even Brian, isn’t that it?”

Shelly’s head jerked toward him, her voice shaky with emotion. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Nothing. Just talking. Why are you getting so upset?”

Shelly’s face turned cold. The mention of Brian felt like a knife between them. No matter how long ago it happened, it still hurt.

She rubbed her forehead, struggling to keep her emotions contained. “Ray, I don’t think you and I will ever have real trust. Not in this lifetime.”

Shelly’s voice was so icy it made Jane pause. Her face didn’t change, but the tone was sharper than ever.

Alianna pressed her lips together, looking anxious. “Shelly, it’s the first time Mom and I have come to visit. We honestly meant well. We just wanted to check on your daughter.”

“Don’t make me repeat myself.”

Shelly’s cold stare swept over them. She didn’t need to lift a finger; that look alone was enough to make Alianna’s heart race in fear.

Jane looked embarrassed, but Alianna just tightened her grip on Ray’s arm, putting on a wounded expression. “Dad, why does Shelly hate us so much? Is it because I call you Dad? If it bothers her, I’ll stop. I can call you Ray again. Maybe that’ll make Shelly happy?”

Jane joined in, her voice soft and mournful. “Ray, I’ve been thinking… Shelly’s never liked us, and we’ve imposed for so many years. Honestly, we feel awful about it. Maybe we should move out of the Marshall estate. Alianna’s grown up now, I can look after her myself. We don’t want to keep making Shelly upset. It’s been weighing on us, we can hardly sleep at night.”

“Awful? You can’t sleep?” Shelly’s sharp gaze drifted over both of them, as if she could see right through the act.