Chapter 170:
Makenna’s POV:
Step by step, I approached the front door of the Dunn family’s house, each footfall heavy with the weight of memories and emotions that churned like a storm within me.
I had spent over twenty years in this house, but warmth and familial love were as foreign as a distant star.
From the moment I could remember, I had faced nothing but my father’s icy indifference, my stepmother’s fake smiles, and my stepsister’s relentless cruelty.
When I grew older and fell in love with Frank, I naively thought he would be my anchor, my sanctuary. But life, with its cruel sense of irony, had other plans.
No matter how cold and heartless their treatment was, I had never held it against them. I gave them everything I had, yet what did I receive in return?
They silently sanctioned Jessica and Frank’s betrayal, conspired to throw me into the abyss, and still, that wasn’t enough. They casually handed over my mother’s cherished keepsake and then shamelessly tried to continue exploiting me.
But what had I done wrong? Why was I condemned to suffer like this?
A tidal wave of rage and hatred surged through me, and with fists clenched so tightly my knuckles turned white, I kicked the door open.
The door crashed against the wall, reverberating through the house. The people inside were startled, their heads snapping toward me in unison.
I saw Jessica sprawled comfortably on the sofa in the center of the living room, with Frank dutifully massaging her shoulders. My father and stepmother were gathered around them, chatting and laughing, the very picture of a happy family.
How ironic that they had driven me to the edge of despair, yet here they were, basking in their cozy, contented lives as if nothing had happened.
As I stood there, my nails dug so deeply into my palms that I should have felt pain, but my heart had already turned to stone.
When they saw me, their faces twisted into frowns.
𝘾𝙝𝙚𝙘𝙠 𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙨𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙘𝙚 𝙖𝙩 𝙜ⱥ𝗅𝗇𝗈ν𝖊𝗅𝘀﹒ⅽ𝗼𝗺
Jessica slowly rose from the sofa, leaning casually against Frank as she asked with a mocking smile, “What are you doing here so late?”
Her face was full of arrogance and smugness, as if she had been waiting for this confrontation and was utterly unafraid.
“What are you doing here instead of staying in the palace?” my father snapped, irritation lacing his voice. “What if the king finds out and holds us responsible? Do you want to bring ruin upon us?”
Irene jumped in, stirring the pot. “Exactly. You’re usually so sensible, so why act so recklessly now? You belong to the palace now; you can’t just wander about as you please.”
This was supposed to be my home, yet here were my so-called family members, all of them trying to push me away, as if terrified I’d drag them down with me.
I glanced at Frank, hoping for a flicker of warmth, but all I saw was cold indifference.
In this household, every single person stood against me. So, this was what family meant.
I let out a bitter laugh and shot back, “How dare you ask why I’m here?”
Did they not feel even the slightest pang of guilt for what they had done?
My question seemed to freeze them in place, their faces tightening as if caught in a lie.
My father waved his hand dismissively, trying to mask his discomfort. “How should I know? You need to leave immediately and stop wandering around!”
His nervousness only deepened the icy chill in my heart. Ignoring him, I let my gaze sweep coldly, hatefully, over everyone in the room, and then, with deliberate emphasis, I asked, “I want to know, who gave my mother’s necklace to Kristina?” The air grew deathly still.
“It was me. So what?”
In the thick silence, Jessica’s voice cut through, leisurely and unconcerned.
She remained lounging in Frank’s arms, completely indifferent as she answered, “Miss Harrison liked it, so I gave it to her. What’s the big deal? Don’t be so petty.” Her words immediately drew nods of agreement from my father and the others.
I laughed, nodding as I said, “I understand now.” Jessica’s smirk grew even more smug, and she seemed ready to say something more. But in the next instant, the room was filled with her screams.
Without a word, I lunged forward, grabbed Jessica by the hair, and slapped her hard across the face several times.
