Suddenly There Are Three (Bailey and Artemis) novel Chapter 502

Chapter 502

A half-smile nudged Bailey's lips.

She picked up her glass of fruit juice from the table and sipped on it slowly. “I didn't want you to learn the truth. Zoey has kept you company for years, so she should at least be given credit for her effort. I shouldn't be selfish by taking away her identity.”

“Bay!” Zeke's expression turned dark as he chided, “Don't think that way. It wasn't your fault. It was Sophia's fault for switching you at birth. She's a despicable woman! You were born with a silver spoon in your mouth but instead became a diamond in the rough. Despite the difficulties you've faced, you remain steadfast and proud. I have faith that you will lead a joyful and content life as you had overcome those obstacles.”

Bailey turned over her shoulder to meet his gaze. Chuckling, she said, “I'm satisfied enough to have Artemis with me. Don't purposely make any changes just for me. Zoey has been a Shurmer for more than twenty years, and she didn't do anything evil. You should be understanding to her.”

Zeke sat up straight and said solemnly, “Bay, you can coexist with her. She's the adopted daughter, while you're the biological daughter of the Shurmer family. You both can be the Shurmer family's—”

Bailey cut him off with a wave. “I changed the data earlier so I wouldn't have to return to the Shurmer family. I don't want Zoey to think I'm snatching her identity away from her. Zeke, can you keep this a secret from your parents? Returning to the Shurmer family doesn't matter to me. Being recognized as a Shurmer is just the icing on the cake for me.”

Zeke protested, “But you need the identity now. Everyone's calling you an illegitimate child as you don't know who your father is. People are criticizing, mocking, and hurling insults at you. As your brother, how can I watch and do nothing as the haters tear you down?”

Bailey chuckled and shook her head. “It's okay. I've grown accustomed to it, so don't let it weigh on you. They're criticizing me out of jealousy and hatred as I have multiple big-shot identities. Don't forget that I've even captured the heart of their Prince Charming.”

Amused, Zeke burst out laughing at her words. As she was insistent, he gave up on persuading her.

There will be another chance in the future for me to persuade her to return to the family.

“Forget it. I'll respect your decision. You're smart, and I'm glad you think that way. We've got plenty of time ahead of us, so I'll find a way to make it up to you.”

Bailey's smile widened.

Artemis aside, this was the first time she had ever broken into such a heartfelt bright smile in front of someone of the opposite sex.

Zeke couldn't help but tease, “Don't you act coy to me. If Artemis finds out, he'll skin me alive.”

Bailey shot him a glare. “He won't dare to do that. After all, he'll have to gain your approval to marry me.”

Hearing that, Zeke burst into laughter.

Bay's right. Artemis has to receive my approval before he could marry her.

“By the way, Zayron was the one responsible for starting the fire at your and Shirley's engagement party. I've already punished him for doing that.”

Hearing that, Zeke put a hand to his forehead in exasperation. “Well, well. He's nothing but a troublemaker. I guess I should be grateful to him for what he did, though. The truth is, I never had any romantic feelings toward Shirley. I was forced to have sex with her that night.”

Forced to have sex with her?

Bailey cast him a dubious look and asked, “Since you don't love her romantically, why did you have sex with her?”

“I was drugged and ended up in bed with her without realizing it. When I woke up, we already had sex,” he revealed.

Drugged? They ended up in bed without him realizing it?

Something seemed off to Bailey, but she couldn't figure out what it was.