Chapter 27
Lucas shook himself, his brow furrowing. “Lydia, she’s only acting this way because she knows you’ll take pity on her.”
He scoffed at Emily. “She hurts herself on purpose and then conveniently shows off the scars-just to guilt us into forgetting what she’s done. She’s perfected the act.”
Vincent stiffened at the accusation, his gaze dropping instinctively to Emily’s leg-but her jeans hid any evidence now.
Emily met Lucas’s glare with a bitter smile. “Funny. You of all people should remember who used that trick constantly.”
The memory struck home. At seventeen, Lucas had stolen a million dollars’ worth of Emma’s jewelry to finance his car obsession.
After being caught, desperate and cornered, he’d begged Emily for help. Her solution was simple-fake an injury, play the victim, and then sweet-talk his way to forgiveness.
It had worked flawlessly, so well that Lucas reused the strategy every time he screwed up afterward.
Emily had warned him it would hurt Emma, that the lies would backfire eventually, but he hadn’t listened.
Now, shame flashed across Lucas’s face-brief but unmistakable. He recovered quickly, snapping, “You invented it. Of course, you’d be better at it than me.”
Exhaustion settled over Emily like a weight. “Believe what you want,” she said flatly, turning away. “I’ll be in my room. Don’t worry-I won’t disturb you again.”
Emily kept her eyes down as she turned toward the small servant’s quarters in the corner.
Lucas tensed at her silent dismissal and moved to follow, but Vincent caught his arm.
“Let it be,” Vincent said, his gaze fixed on Emily’s retreating figure. Something about the rigid set of her shoulders made his chest constrict.
“You claimed Emily would hurt herself on purpose and then show off the scars. Was that really her pattern before?” he continued.
A flicker of guilt crossed Lucas’s features before hardening into defiance. He jerked free of Vincent’s grip. “Now I’m the dishonest one?” he spat. “Fine. When she starts playing the victim to manipulate you, remember you chose not to listen.”
Vincent clenched his jaw, irritation darkening his features. ‘She deliberately brought up how I deceived her two years ago just to make me feel guilty.
“Then she kept hinting at how much she’s suffered and made sure I saw the scars on her leg just to make me feel sorry for her. After all this time apart, she’s only become more manipulative,’ he thought, seething.
Lydia, sensing the rising tension, moved to Vincent’s side and clasped his hand. “Please,” she murmured, “don’t be hard on Emily. She’s only just returned. We should give her time.”
She played the devoted sister flawlessly. After a thoughtful pause, her face brightened with an idea. Turning to Emma, she suggested, “Mom, why don’t we host a welcome party for Emily?
“All her old friends in Cloudridge could come. Being around familiar faces might help her settle in.”
Lucas’s displeasure showed immediately. “After how she’s treated you? Why bother?”
Lydia’s smile remained gentle. “I don’t mind the unfair treatment, so long as Emily eventually accepts me.”
Emma stroked her daughter’s hair affectionately. “If only Emily possessed even a fraction of your kindness”
Lydia’s gaze dipped momentarily, her practiced smile never slipping as she masked the calculation in her eyes. When she looked up again, her expression was all bright enthusiasm. “Let’s make it a surprise party,” she proposed. “It’ll mean more if Emily doesn’t know beforehand.”
Emma’s gaze warmed. “As you wish, darling.”